Program Tools
With the BOTH Bill, food service establishments and King County Department of Health can rely on reputable educational training and informative signage to ensure compliance measures are easily understood, implemented and maintained.
Establishing Training + Certification
As of March 2023, updates to the new food code in Washington State will require each food service establishment to have a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). A CFPM is a person associated with a retail food establishment who has successfully passed a recognized food manager certification course. The CFPM plays a significant role in reducing top risk factors, primarily targeting foodborne illness prevention.
King County accepts CFPM certification from six certificate providers approved by the American National Standards Accredited Program (ANSI). Three of these programs also provide food allergen awareness training; ServeSafe, Always Food Safe and State Food Safety.
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), also provides a comprehensive ANSI accredited food allergen training course, known as FARE Check. (FARE is recognized as the largest private funder of food allergy research in the United States.)
Each training is a nominal cost, estimated at $40 per online course. Requiring a CFPM to be knowledgeable and certified in food allergen awareness is a specific, actionable step of the BOTH Bill.
Posting of Menu Notifications
Food service establishments shall post a Food Allergy Notification on the;
(i) Menu board
(ii) Digital menu and website
(iii) Any communication setting forth a bill of fare
​
This is a simple label inviting communication in the establishment BOTH ways.
Food allergies?
If you have a specific food allergy, please speak to the certified food protection manager or person in charge on premise.
To inform and educate all staff of food allergen safety and best practices, food allergen safety signs will be placed in a visible area in the front and the back of the house. Signage includes instructive information such as:
-
nine most common allergens
-
symptoms of an allergic reaction
-
what to do when a patron informs of a food allergy
-
how to prevent cross contact
-
calling emergency services
-
how many designated CFPM's and/or staff have completed food allergy awareness training
Posting of Food Allergen Safety + CFPM
Posting of Food Allergen Safety + Awareness Training to the Public
It is estimated that restaurants that became more allergy friendly saw a 25% increase in profits and 40% increase in loyalty from food allergy patrons.
Creating protections and inclusivity for those dining out with food allergies will be an achievement for economic development for our region.
8
The success of this compliance program will mirror the public communication of the Food Safety Ratings signage known and recognized throughout King County. Certification placards will be visible to the public near the main entrance of the establishment, with access in multiple languages offered.