Virginia Administrative Code

Food in a hermetically sealed container shall be obtained from a food processing plant that is regulated by the food regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the plant.PStatutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. The outdoor walking and driving areas shall be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, or gravel or other materials that have been effectively treated to minimize dust, facilitate maintenance, and prevent muddy conditions. B. Exterior surfaces of buildings and mobile food establishme…

Except as specified under 2VAC5-585-2840 and except for antislip floor coverings or applications that may be used for safety reasons, floors, floor coverings, walls, wall coverings, and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable…

A. Utility service lines and pipes may not be unnecessarily exposed. B. Exposed utility service lines and pipes shall be installed so they do not obstruct or prevent cleaning of the floors, walls, or ceilings. C. Exposed horizontal utility service lines and pipes may not be insta…

A. In food establishments in which cleaning methods other than water flushing are used for cleaning floors, the floor and wall junctures shall be coved and closed to no larger than 1/32 inch (one mm). B. The floors in food establishments in which water flush cleaning methods are …

A. A floor covering such as carpeting or similar material may not be installed as a floor covering in food preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, warewashing areas, toilet room areas where handwashing sinks, toilets, and urinals are located, refuse storage rooms, or other area…

Mats and duckboards shall be designed to be removable and easily cleanable.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Wall and ceiling covering materials shall be attached so that they are easily cleanable. B. Except in areas used only for dry storage, concrete, porous blocks, or bricks used for indoor wall construction shall be finished and sealed to provide a smooth, nonabsorbent, easily cl…

A. Except as specified in subsection B of this section, attachments to walls and ceilings such as light fixtures, mechanical room ventilation system components, vent covers, wall mounted fans, decorative items, and other attachments shall be easily cleanable. B. In a consumer are…

Studs, joists, and rafters may not be exposed in areas subject to moisture. This requirement does not apply to temporary food establishments.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Except as specified in subsection B of this section, light bulbs shall be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles. B. Shielded, coated, or …

Fluid milk and milk products shall be obtained from sources that comply with Grade A standards as specified in law.PStatutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems shall be designed and installed so that make-up air intake and exhaust vents do not cause contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, equipment, or utensils.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Insect control devices that are used to electrocute or stun flying insects shall be designed to retain the insect within the device. B. Insect control devices shall be installed so that: 1. The devices are not located over a food preparation area; and 2. Dead insects and insec…

Except where a toilet room is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall, a toilet room located on the premises shall be completely enclosed and provided w…

A. Except as specified in subsections B through E of this section, outer openings of a food establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: 1. Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls and ceilings; 2. Closed, tight-fitting windows;…

Perimeter walls and roofs of a food establishment shall effectively protect the establishment from the weather and the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

Prepackaged juice shall: 1. Be obtained from a processor with a HACCP system as specified in 21 CFR Part 120;Pf and 2. Be obtained pasteurized or otherwise treated to attain a 5-log reduction of the most resistant microorganism of public health significance as specified in 21 CFR…

Except for machines that vend canned beverages, if located outside, a machine used to vend food shall be provided with overhead protection.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

Except for areas used only for the loading of water or the discharge of sewage or other liquid waste, through the use of a closed system of hoses, servicing areas shall be provided with overhead protection.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

Exterior walking and driving surfaces shall be graded to drain.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

Outdoor refuse areas shall be constructed in accordance with law and shall be curbed and graded to drain to collect and dispose of liquid waste that results from the refuse and from cleaning the area and waste receptacles.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A private home, a room used as living or sleeping quarters, or an area directly opening into a room used as living or sleeping quarters may not be used for conducting food establishment operations.PStatutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

This chapter establishes definitions; sets standards for management and personnel, food operations, and equipment and facilities; and provides for inspection, food establishment plan review, and employee restriction.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Fish that are received for sale or service shall be: 1. Commercially and legally caught or harvested;P or 2. Approved for sale or service .P B. Molluscan shellfish that are recreationally caught may not be received for sale or service.PStatutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code…

Living or sleeping quarters located on the premises of a food establishment such as those provided for lodging registration clerks or resident managers shall be separated from rooms and areas used for food establishment operations by complete partitioning and solid self-closing d…

(Repealed.)

Each handwashing sink or group of two adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap.PfStatutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with: 1. Individual, disposable towels;Pf 2. A continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; Pf 3. A heated-air hand drying device;Pf or 4. A hand-drying device that employs an air…

A sink used for food preparation or utensil washing or a service sink or curbed cleaning facility used for the disposal of mop water or similar wastes may not be provided with the handwashing aids and devices required for a handwashing sink as specified under 2VAC5-585-2650 C, 2V…

A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks that is provided with disposable towels shall be provided with a waste receptacle as specified under 2VAC5-585-2650 C.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

A supply of toilet tissue shall be available at each toilet.PfStatutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

The light intensity shall be: 1. At least 10 foot candles (108 lux) at a distance of 30 inches (75 cm) above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units and dry food storage areas and in other areas and rooms during periods of cleaning; 2. At least 20 foot candles (215 lux): a. At …

If necessary to keep rooms free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke, and fumes, mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity shall be provided.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Molluscan shellfish shall be obtained from sources according to law and the requirements specified in the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish, 2017 Revision, (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).P B. Molluscan shellfish shal…

A. Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be designated if employees routinely change their clothes in the establishment. B. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be provided for the orderly storage of employees' clothing and other possessions.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 o…

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

Toilet rooms shall be conveniently located and accessible to employees during all hours of operation. Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Areas designated for employees to eat, drink, and use tobacco products shall be located so that food, equipment, linens, and single-service and single-use articles are protected from contamination. B. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be located in a designated room o…

Products that are held by the permit holder for credit, redemption, or return to the distributor, such as damaged, spoiled, or recalled products, shall be segregated and held in designated areas that are separated from food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and sin…

(Repealed.)

The physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair.Statutory Authority§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.

A. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. B. Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed such as after closing. Statutory Authori…