Allergen Awareness Training

With the adoption of PA 100-0367 on August 25, 2017, amendments to the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act were made to include an allergen awareness training requirement. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=100-0367

Who needs to be trained?

  • All certified food protection managers (CFPMs) working in a restaurant must complete additional allergen training using an approved allergen awareness training program.
  • Certificate of course completion must be kept at the establishment, made available to the health inspector upon request and is an item on the inspection report.

What type of training is approved?

What types of establishments need training?
Includes:

  • Restaurants assigned as Category I (High Risk) by their local health department. A restaurant is defined as any business that is primarily engaged in the sale of ready-to-eat food for immediate consumption.

Does not include:

  • Grocery stores, convenience stores, daycares, schools, assisted living or long term care facilities, food handlers (those without CFPM certifications), and certified food protection managers for risk category 2 or 3 establishments. (see Illinois Food Code, for risk category definitions)

Implementation
New regulations go into effect January 1, 2018. Enforcement begins July 1, 2018.

Link to Legislation:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=100-0367

Re-certification: Every 3 years.

Notes

  • ANSI ASTM accredited allergen training programs are automatically approved and this type of training is transferable between employers.
  • Internal training programs are approved; if it can be proved that they were approved in another state prior to effective date of the bill. *This proof can be provided to the local health department inspector at time of inspection. This type of training is not transferable.

**content adapted from ServSafe Allergen Training