 May 21, 2004 Ketchikan, AK - Recently passed legislation (HB 378) calls for a major overhaul of the State's food safety program, including food handler/operator training and certification through the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). To implement the new legislation, DEC is hosting workshops on proposed amendments to its food safety regulations (18 AAC 31). Changes include food handler certification, manager training and certification, and written operating procedures for facilities. "The public's participation at these workshops is very valuable to DEC," said Kristin Ryan, director of the division of environmental health. "The general public as well as the regulated industry should use this opportunity to have an impact on how regulations will be drafted. After the workshops, proposed regulations will be released and additional input will be sought." Workshops are scheduled as follows:
"This is an exciting time for food safety in Alaska. We're hoping operators from around the state will weigh in with their ideas on what will work best in Alaska," Ryan said. "Food establishments have the responsibility to serve safe food. By having trained staff, written procedures, and conducting self-assessments to ensure the procedures are followed, consumers and DEC can hold operators accountable for that responsibility."
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