News Flash

As of March 2022, an updated version of the Washington State Food Code is in place. There are dozens of changes in the code. Learn more about them at:

• The Snohomish Health District’s Food Code Changes page
• The Washington State Department of Health’s Food Safety Rules and Regulations page

Three notable code changes that food businesses are urged to address quickly include:

1. Having written procedures for employees to follow when responding to an incident involving vomit or diarrhea at the food establishment. 
2. Providing each food worker, in a way that can be verified (such as a signed statement), with information on when they are required to inform the person in charge at the food establishment of an illness or symptoms they are experiencing.
3. Ensuring date marking meets updated requirements for specific foods that need to be marked and used within 7 days, namely refrigerated, ready-to-eat perishable foods that are prepared in-house or in opened packages. 

Learn more about food safety at www.snohd.org/food.