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1. What is a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)?

All food establishments in Englewood must have a CFPM on-site during hours of operation. Individuals who wish to become a CFPM must pass a food safety certification exam that has been approved by the Conference for Food Protection (CFP) that addresses the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to operate a safe and sanitary food establishment. Exams are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, French, Italian, and Arabic.

Currently, the three CFP-approved food safety programs are as follows:

• ServSafe website
• National Registry of Food Safety Professionals website
• Thompson Pro-metric website

Upon passing the food safety certification exam, CFPMs are issued a certificate that must be displayed inside the restaurant or other pertinent retail food establishment where it is available and accessible to the consumers and Public Health Inspectors upon review/inspection. The Food Protection Manager Certificate must be maintained and renewed upon expiration every five years.

2. Is a restaurant required to have a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)?

New Jersey restaurants classified as Risk Type III establishments are required to maintain a Certified Food Safety Professional (Certified Food Protection Manager), by January 2, 2010 (NJ.A.C. 8:24 - 2.1b). This is a legal requirement in order to be in compliance with the New Jersey Sanitary Code.

In addition to maintaining at least one Certified Food Protection Manager per establishment, a restaurant must maintain, at all hours of operation, a designated Person-in-Charge. This Person-in-Charge must be knowledgeable of the New Jersey Food Code (Sanitary Code) requirements and familiar with all aspects of the restaurant's operation.