19a-36h-4 - Certified Food Protection Manager and Alternate Person in Charge

Sep 22, 2026

This section defines staffing requirements for Connecticut food establishments regarding a person in charge and a certified food protection manager. Class 1–4 establishments must have an on-site person in charge meeting section 2-102.11 requirements. For class 2–4, the person in charge must be a certified food protection manager with certification maintained on site and held as a full-time employee assigned to only one establishment. It also permits a writtenly appointed alternate during limited non-peak hours, subject to knowledge demonstration and food inspector review, effective February 17, 2023.

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CategoryHealthcare

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Certified food protection manager requirement

Class 1–4 person in charge on-site

Class 2–4 certified food protection manager duties

Alternate person in charge during non-peak hours

Food inspector priority for noncompliance

Sec. 19a-36h-4. Certified food protection manager and alternate person in charge. (a) Each Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 food establishment shall have a person in charge who meets the requirements of section 2-102. 11 of the food code and who is on-site at the food establishment at all times the establishment is operating. (b) At all times, a class 2, 3 and 4 food establishment is operating, the person in chargeshall be a certified food protection manager, except as permitted by subsection (c) of this section, who shall: (1) Have obtained certification as required pursuant to section 19a-36i of the Connecticut General Statutes; (2) Maintain such certification on file at the food establishment and provide such certification to the food inspector upon request; and (3) Be a full-time employee, and assigned as the certified food protection manager to only one food establishment. (c) The owner or manager of each class 2, 3 and 4 food establishment shall appoint an alternate person to be in charge, when the person in charge cannot be present. The alternate person in charge shall only be utilized during non-peak hours of operation, such as an overnight shift in which no more than two employees are on-site, and there is limited or no food preparation taking place. Such appointment shall be in writing on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The alternate person in charge shall: (1) Demonstrate the same knowledge as a certified food protection manager and carryout the responsibilities as specified in subsection (d) of section 19a-36i of the Connecticut General Statutes; and (2) Upon request of a food inspector at the food establishment, demonstrate to the food inspector, by a means according to section 2-102. 11(B) or (C) of the food code, the knowledge required under section 2-102.11(C)(1) to (17), inclusive, of the food code. (d) The food inspector shall consider noncompliance with subsection (c) of this section a priority foundation item and shall cite such finding on the food inspection report form. (Effective February 17, 2023)

FAQs

Which food establishments must have a person in charge on-site at all times?

Each Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 food establishment must have a person in charge who meets section 2-102.11 requirements and is on-site at all times the establishment is operating.

What must the person in charge be for class 2, 3, and 4 establishments when operating?

For class 2, 3, and 4 food establishments, the person in charge must be a certified food protection manager, except where subsection (c) allows an alternate during non-peak hours.

When can an alternate person in charge be used, and what requirements apply?

The owner or manager may appoint an alternate person to be in charge only when the person in charge cannot be present and only during non-peak hours, such as an overnight shift with limited on-site staff and limited or no food preparation. The appointment must be in writing, and the alternate must demonstrate equivalent knowledge and be able to demonstrate required knowledge to a food inspector upon request.

Sep 22, 2026

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