Qualfied Food Operator
19-13B-42(S)(4) of the Public Health Code
Each person owning, operating or managing any food service establishment designated either as a class III or class IV shall be a qualified food operator or shall employ on-site at least one (1) qualified food operator who is in a supervisory position at said establishment. Qualified Food Operator is a food operator employed in a full-time position who has demonstrated a knowledge of safe food handling techniques. Supervisory position means that position of a person who directs and inspects the performance of food service workers. Responsibilities of Qualified Food Operators: The qualified food operator is responsible for operating the food service establishment in compliance with all the provisions of section 19-13B42 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The qualified food operator of each foodservice establishment is responsible for ensuring training of food preparation personnel. All such personnel shall receive training that shall include but not necessarily be limited to: instruction in proper food temperature control; food protection; personal health and cleanliness; and sanitation of the facility, equipment, supplies and utensils. The qualified food operator shall maintain written documentation of a training program and training records of individual employees, and shall make these records available to the local health department upon request.
Forms to utilize for employee training records
Qualified Food Operator Not Present Section 19-13B-42(S)(8)(B)
The owner/operator of the food service establishment shall designate an alternate person who has complied with Section 19-13-B42(s)(6) to be in charge at all times when the qualified food operator cannot be present. This alternate person in charge shall be responsible for: ensuring that all employees comply with the requirements of this section, and that foods are safely prepared; handling emergencies; admitting the inspector; and receiving and signing their inspection report.
Designated Alternate Responsibilities
Replacement of Qualified Food Operator Section 19-13B-42(s)(7)
Whenever the qualified food operator terminates employment, is terminated or is transferred, the person owning, operating or managing the food service establishment shall notify the local health department in writing. A replacement qualified food operator shall be employed within sixty (60) days from the date of termination or transfer of the qualified food operator.
Closure of a Food Establishment for Failure to Employ on-Site a Qualified Food Operator Section 19-13B-42(u)(4)
If a qualified food operator is not employed onsite, except as provided by the qualified food operator replacement provision in Section 19-13B-42(s)(7), the food service establishment has thirty (30) days to comply. If correction has not been made after thirty (30) days, the Director of Health shall take immediate steps to close the food service establishment.
Public Health Code for the State of Connecticut - Regulation of Department of Public Health: Sanitation of Places Dispensing Foods or Beverages Sections 19-13-B42 can be located at:www.state.ct.us/dph
Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the above regulations is documentation that the QFO has passed a test administered by a testing organization approved by the State Health Department. This documentation shall be maintained on file at the establishment and a copy must be provided to the TAHD for the establishment file.
It is the TAHD policy that new Food Service Licenses are not issued to class 3 or class 4 food service establishments until a valid QFO certificate has been received and a copy has been provided for our records.
Each person owning, operating or managing any food service establishment designated either as a class III or class IV shall be a qualified food operator or shall employ on-site at least one (1) qualified food operator who is in a supervisory position at said establishment. Qualified Food Operator is a food operator employed in a full-time position who has demonstrated a knowledge of safe food handling techniques. Supervisory position means that position of a person who directs and inspects the performance of food service workers. Responsibilities of Qualified Food Operators: The qualified food operator is responsible for operating the food service establishment in compliance with all the provisions of section 19-13B42 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The qualified food operator of each foodservice establishment is responsible for ensuring training of food preparation personnel. All such personnel shall receive training that shall include but not necessarily be limited to: instruction in proper food temperature control; food protection; personal health and cleanliness; and sanitation of the facility, equipment, supplies and utensils. The qualified food operator shall maintain written documentation of a training program and training records of individual employees, and shall make these records available to the local health department upon request.
Forms to utilize for employee training records
Qualified Food Operator Not Present Section 19-13B-42(S)(8)(B)
The owner/operator of the food service establishment shall designate an alternate person who has complied with Section 19-13-B42(s)(6) to be in charge at all times when the qualified food operator cannot be present. This alternate person in charge shall be responsible for: ensuring that all employees comply with the requirements of this section, and that foods are safely prepared; handling emergencies; admitting the inspector; and receiving and signing their inspection report.
Designated Alternate Responsibilities
Replacement of Qualified Food Operator Section 19-13B-42(s)(7)
Whenever the qualified food operator terminates employment, is terminated or is transferred, the person owning, operating or managing the food service establishment shall notify the local health department in writing. A replacement qualified food operator shall be employed within sixty (60) days from the date of termination or transfer of the qualified food operator.
Closure of a Food Establishment for Failure to Employ on-Site a Qualified Food Operator Section 19-13B-42(u)(4)
If a qualified food operator is not employed onsite, except as provided by the qualified food operator replacement provision in Section 19-13B-42(s)(7), the food service establishment has thirty (30) days to comply. If correction has not been made after thirty (30) days, the Director of Health shall take immediate steps to close the food service establishment.
Public Health Code for the State of Connecticut - Regulation of Department of Public Health: Sanitation of Places Dispensing Foods or Beverages Sections 19-13-B42 can be located at:www.state.ct.us/dph
Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the above regulations is documentation that the QFO has passed a test administered by a testing organization approved by the State Health Department. This documentation shall be maintained on file at the establishment and a copy must be provided to the TAHD for the establishment file.
It is the TAHD policy that new Food Service Licenses are not issued to class 3 or class 4 food service establishments until a valid QFO certificate has been received and a copy has been provided for our records.
