Retail Food Service Chapter 246-215 WAC
Rule Revision Changes

New Retail Food Rule: Top 10 Changes

The new DOH Food Rules took effect March 1, 2022. Below please find the major provisions plus the recording from the training we held on the New Food Rules and an attachment to the Top 10 changes. If you have questions, I am happy to work with Susan Shelton to get you answers. I will post questions and their answers from Susan on our Questions and Answer Page under Quick Links on the front page of our website. 

The following highlighted items will take affect to a wide variety of food establishments. These rules went into effect on March 1, 2022.

More details on the New Food Rules 

1. Person in Charge (PIC): Knowledge & Duties

At least one PIC will need to be a Certified Food Protection Manager by March 2023 and will need to ensure Active Managerial Control.

2. Employee Health

Establishments must notify employees about reporting illness to the PIC and be able to verify they provided the notification. In addition to vomiting, diarrhea, or jaundice, employees are required to report illness with Salmonella, E. coli, hepatitis A, norovirus, or Shigella.

3. Clean up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events

Operators will need to have a written plan on how to clean up vomit and diarrheal events in the food establishment.

4. Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Foods

Establishments wanting to prepare food with bare hands will need to demonstrate active managerial control in order to be approved.

5. Date Marking for 7-Day Shelf-Life

Most ready-to-eat, refrigerated, perishable foods in opened packages will need to be marked and used within a 7-day shelf-life.

6. Refilling Reusable Consumer-Owned Containers

Establishments have the option to allow customers to bring in a clean container to fill, refill, or reuse.

7. Dogs in Outdoor Areas

Dogs may be allowed in outdoor areas if an operator follows set procedures with a written, approvable plan.

8. Mobile Food Units

Several changes were made for mobile food units based on recent state law changes and comments received.

9. Donated Foods

Several sections were changed to clarify approvable food sources and reduce limitations to help safely rescue food.

10. Food-Specific Changes

• Hamburger and other ground meats will need to cook to 158°F instantaneous (instead of 155°F for 15 seconds)
• Partially-cooked fresh fish may be served with a modified consumer advisory on the potential parasitic concern

More details on the New Food Rules 

NEW Food Rule Training link is below. Susan Shelton will host a training at the WFC Conference in April 2022 in Wenatchee. She will cover the New Food Rules again, see how you are incorporating these changes and if you have questions, plus food labeling and wild game.

Link to recording here. Passcode: Y@rA7N@0 

Draft Toolkits are linked below. You can use these toolkits to draft policies for your program on these important topics. These topics do require a written policy. Contact your local health department for additional information specific to your operations.

For more information about the Food Service rule review, visit www.doh.wa.gov/foodrules. Retail Food Code Revision or contact Susan Shelton at 509-212-1206 or [email protected]