History of Changes:
Food Handler

HISTORY OF COURSE CHANGES

Responsible Training has been teaching Food Handler courses since 2004. In 2011, we achieved an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation. Responsible Training is staffed with food safety and education professionals, and we developed this training program with the help of an Advisory Group whose members represent government health departments, food safety trainers, food providers, food managers, and food handlers. We periodically update our course to comply with federal and state food code changes as well as to improve quality.

• In September 2017, the course material was updated to match the latest food code's terminology and to make it more readable and easier to understand. The course test questions were updated to better match course contents and to meet a passing score of 70%.
  
• The course was reviewed and updated again in November 2018 to be aligned with the 2017 FDA Food Code. The sections regarding cooking temperatures and mobile food establishment rules were updated. Additionally, a section was added regarding the use of 2-compartment sinks.
  
• In May 2021, additional information was added to the course regarding reportable foodborne illnesses and temporary food establishments.
  
• In September 2023 the course was updated to reflect January 2023 changes in FDA regulations regarding the inclusion of Sesame as a major food allergen. Expanded content emphasizes working with customers to accommodate their food allergies and avoid food allergen reactions.

Sources

The following federal and state agency laws, rules, and regulations have served as the definitive sources of course content.

• Federal - U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2022 Food Code. 
• Arizona - Arizona Food Code Title 9 Health Services, Chapter 8 Department of Health Services Food, Recreational and Institutional Sanitation, Article 1 Food and Drink 7/8/2020 
• California - California Retail Food Code 1/1/2026 
• Hawaii - Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11 Department of Health Chapter 50, Food Safety Code 8/25/2025 
• Illinois - IDPH has adopted the 2022 FDA Food Code 3/22/2024  
• New Mexico - New Mexico Title 7 Chapter 6 Part 2 Health, Food Handling & Food Service and Food Processing (12/1/2018) 
• Texas - Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Chapter 228 - Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) 08/08/21 
  • Texas Chapter 437 – Regulation of Food Service Establishments, Retail Food Stores, Mobile Food Units & Roadside Vendors 12/8/22
  • Texas Chapter 438 - Public Health Measures Relating To Food 9/1/21