Deadline looms for nearly 1 million California restaurant workers to receive food safety training, earn California Food Handler Card

(SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 6, 2011) – The July 1 California Food Handler Card law compliance deadline is nearing, as more than 900,000 affected foodservice workers seek foundational food safety training. The law, SB 602, was authored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) and enacted Jan. 1 to create a statewide standard for safe food handling practices in California’s restaurants, and requires food handlers to undergo basic food safety training and secure a California Food Handler Card by passing an exam with a score of 70 percent or better. The law was designed to ensure restaurant employees