[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Paterson 12-18-1979 by Ord. No. 79-111 as Ch. 13, Art. 4, of the 1979 Revised General Ordinances of Paterson. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Food and beverage vending machines — See Ch. 227.
Retail food establishments — See Ch. 231.
Preparation and sale of food — See Ch. 239.
Food vending vehicles — See Ch. 243.
Sale of ice — See Ch. 279.
Milk and milk products — See Ch. 325.
Ice cream peddlers — See Ch. 367, Art. II.
[Amended 5-20-2025 by Ord. No. 25-015]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FOOD
Includes any drink or beverage for human consumption.
FOOD HANDLER
Any person who is engaged in or employed in preparing and processing food for sale intended for human consumption, whether for immediate on-premises or off-premises consumption, and who handles or comes in personal contact with such food.
FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE
A permit issued to any food handler as defined by this chapter.
A. 
Subject to the provisions of § 235-4, no person shall engage in or be employed as a food handler without first having obtained a food handler's certificate in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Subject to the provisions of § 235-4, no employer shall employ any person as a food handler unless the person so employed has first obtained a food handler's certificate in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 4-14-1992 by Ord. No. 92-009; 10-27-1998 by Ord. No. 98-073; 12-16-2003 by Ord. No. 03-097; 11-9-2010 by Ord. No. 10-072; 5-20-2025 by Ord. No. 25-015]
A. 
Application for the food handler's certificate required by this chapter shall be made in writing to the Health Division and shall be accompanied by the fee provided for by Subsection B.
B. 
The fee for each food handler's certificate is $50.
Every person engaged in the business of food handling or employed as a food handler shall, within 30 days from the date of commencing such business or employment, apply for a food handler's certificate as required by the provisions of this chapter.
The food handler's certificate required by this chapter shall not be issued or granted to any person unless he has first completed a course of instruction generally in health education, sanitation, personal hygiene, food poisoning, dishwashing procedures and other related health matters. The course of instruction shall be under the supervision or direction of the Health Officer. No charge or fee shall be imposed or exacted for attendance at said course of instruction.
A. 
The food handler's certificate, when issued, shall be valid until suspended or revoked in the manner provided by this chapter.
B. 
For good cause shown and on written notice to any person holding a food handler's certificate, the Health Officer may suspend or revoke any food handler's certificate issued pursuant to this chapter.
All employers engaged in the business of food handling shall at all times keep and maintain accurate records of the name and address of each employee, date of employment, date of issuance of food handler's certificate issued to each employee and the number thereof. Such records shall be available at all times for inspection by the Health Division or any of its accredited agents or representatives.
[Amended 4-14-1992 by Ord. No. 92-009]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by one or more of the following: a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.