PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON UPDATED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT REGULATIONS

DOVER (Feb. 26, 2014) - Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) is working to update the Delaware Food Code in 2014. The proposed code, based on the 2013 edition of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code, will introduce several important changes that better serve and protect the health of Delawareans. The Delaware Food Code is a comprehensive document that covers all food establishments in Delaware from the initial construction and opening, to the routine day-to-day operations of the establishments.

Changes will be implemented throughout the code, including updating terminology, minor technical corrections and simple revisions to improve clarity. DPH encourages all food establishments and interested members of the public to review the summary of changes provided on the Office of Food Protection's website (link below). Highlighted changes include:

• Person in charge certification requirement - The Delaware Food Code will now require that the person in charge of a food establishment be certified through an accredited food protection manager certification program. DPH is considering offering Delaware establishments a grace period beyond the implementation of the new code for this requirement.
• The Delaware Food Code will no longer use the terminology "potentially hazardous food (PHF)" which will be replaced with the more up to date "time and temperature controlled for safety (TCS)" terminology. This is a universal change being made throughout the Delaware Food Code.
• Food establishments will be required to post notification to the public that "a copy of the most recent inspection report is available upon request."

A public comment period on the draft Delaware Food Code opens March 1, 2014, with the final version to go into effect prior to the summer of 2014. The summary of all changes incorporated into the Delaware Food Code can be found on the website for the Office of Food Protection - http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/ofp.html.

DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eating at least five servings of fruit or vegetables a day, watching no more than two hours of recreational screen time daily, getting one hour of physical activity each day, and drinking almost no sugar-sweetened drinks.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.