The National Restaurant Association's ServSafe® Food Handler Program will offer solutions for California restaurateurs to comply with the recent California Food Handler Card law, or SB 602. Nearly one million restaurant industry employees in the state will need to be in compliance with the law by July 1, 2011.

"As the leader in food safety training throughout the United States, we have tailored our ServSafe Food Handler Program to meet the requirements of the California Food Handler Card law to help restaurant operators prepare for compliance, "said David Gilbert, chief operating officer of the National Restaurant Association. "Our ServSafe suite of training solutions also helps restaurant operators nationwide meet and exceed food safety regulations and standards. There is nothing more important than the health and safety of our guests, making employee training a number-one priority."

The ServSafe Food Handler Program is fully compliant with the California Food Handler law. It offers both online and classroom training formats, ensuring that the same food principles are delivered consistently. This budget-friendly program can streamline the food safety training process at the employee-level, saving operators both time and money.

"Nearly a million restaurant employees across the state need a California Food Handler Card to comply with the new law," said Jot Condie, President + CEO of the California Restaurant Association. "We are pleased the National Restaurant Association offers solutions that enable our industry to confidently comply. Our industry has come to rely on and trust the ServSafe brand."

The California law, which was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2010, requires food handlers to undergo basic food safety training and pass a test with a score of 70 percent or better. Food handlers are defined as employees "involved in the preparation, service or storage of food. "Recognizing that job descriptions and roles can vary by operation, officials have clarified the definition to include most restaurant employees, including, but not limited to: cooks, waitstaff, bussers, bartenders, hosts/hostesses, beverage pourers, chefs and supervisory personnel, such as the general manager or managers who handle food.

Food handlers affected by the law must provide a copy of their California Food Handler Card to their employers, who are required to maintain files to submit during the health inspection process.

The ServSafe California Food Handler Program uses the same principles and instructional design as the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification course to deliver food safety training for all foodservice employees. The ServSafe California Food Handler Program is comprised of basic food safety training and a 40-question assessment that covers basic food safety information and techniques. It is offered in a variety of formats, giving operators and employees more options to find the solution that suits their needs.

The online training and assessment is fast, affordable, and can be taken anywhere Internet access is available. Users may re-take the exam at no additional charge for up to 60 days from their first login. The classroom-style print format option accommodates groups of employees at one time. A ServSafe Food Handler Instructor guides employees through the training and administers a multiple-choice assessment.

Assessment-only solutions are also available for operators who wish to continue using in-house training while ensuring compliance with the California Food Handler Card law.