Allergen awareness
Massachusetts asks food establishments that cook, prepare or serve food for immediate consumption for an allergen poster, a notice on menus and a manager with allergen awareness training (105 CMR 590.011(C)).
“Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.”
105 CMR 590.011 (C), Food Allergy Awareness Requirements (Cornell LII copy)
The nine major food allergens
Allergen poster in the work area
A poster approved by the Department of Public Health
Where food is cooked, prepared or served for immediate consumption: prominently displayed in the employee work area, no smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches (105 CMR 590.011(C)).
105 CMR 590.011 (C), Food Allergy Awareness Requirements (Cornell LII copy)
Massachusetts allergen awareness certificate
A training verification program recognized by the Department of Public Health
Where food is cooked, prepared or served for immediate consumption, the certified food protection manager holds a Massachusetts certificate of allergen awareness training, valid for five years, and keeps employees trained (105 CMR 590.011(C)).
105 CMR 590.011 (C), Food Allergy Awareness Requirements (Cornell LII copy)
Certified food protection manager
An accredited certification program
At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility is a certified food protection manager who passed a test of an accredited program (Food Code 2-102.12). The regulatory authority may exempt operations it deems minimal risk (2-102.12(B)).
FDA Food Code 2013 (adopted in Massachusetts by 105 CMR 590.000)
In Batch Log
Each batch can mark the allergens its rub, brine or anything added contains; the Allergens screen counts the batches in progress with each one, and the Permits tab keeps the poster and the certificate with their dates.