Washington State Retail Food Code WAC 246-215

Over the past few years, Washington State has worked to adopt the national FDA Food Code in part. This food code went into affect in May of 2005 and provides the standards of food safety upheld by the Yakima Health District Food Safety program. View the WA State Retail Food Code WAC 246-215 to learn about the requirements of food service establishments and mobile units to operate.

2022 Food Code Updates

The Washington State Retail Food Code was updated in March of 2022. See a brief summary of the updates here (Spanish).

For more information on these updates, please call our Environmental Health Help Desk at 509-249-6508 or email us at YHD.Help.Desk@co.yakima.wa.us

The Washington State Department of Health has provided some additional guidance on the updates and how to maintain compliance with the food code. 

  1. What is a consumer advisory and why do we need one?
  2. What is a person in charge (PIC) and why do they need to be able to demonstrate knowledge?
  3. What are the new rules regarding fingernails and jewelry?
  4. What are my responsibilities regarding hair restraints?
  5. What protection is required for hard crusted breads?
  6. What is "time as a control" and can we use it?
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