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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 7Ch. 4Art. 1§ 113984 Food Preparation Requirements

§ 113984 Food Preparation Requirements

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 113984 Food Preparation Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Food must be prepared on clean counters inside a closed kitchen or approved area.
  • •All food prep tools and surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized before use to avoid spreading germs.
  • •Food prep areas must have a roof or cover to protect food from dirt or bugs.
  • •Thawing, washing, slicing, and cooling food must happen inside a closed kitchen.

Example

A food truck selling tacos.

The food truck must have a closed kitchen area where the cook prepares the food. The counter and knives must be cleaned before chopping veggies. The truck must also have a roof over the cooking area to keep food safe from dust or rain.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 113984 Food Preparation Requirements

(a) Adequate and suitable counter space shall be provided for all food preparation operations. (b) Except as specified in subdivision (c), food preparation shall be conducted within a fully enclosed food facility. (c) Limited food preparation shall be conducted within a food compartment or as approved by the enforcement agency. Subject to subdivision (g), this subdivision does not require an additional food compartment when adding ingredients to a beverage or dispensing into a serving container when the beverage is prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer order. (d) Food shall be prepared with suitable utensils and on surfaces that, prior to use, have been cleaned, rinsed, and sanitized as specified in Section 114117 to prevent cross-contamination. (e) Overhead protection shall be provided above all food preparation, food display, warewashing, and food storage areas. (f) All food shall be thawed, washed, sliced, and cooled within an approved fully enclosed food facility. (g) Based upon local environmental conditions, location, and other similar factors, the enforcement officer may establish additional structural or operational requirements, or both, for mobile food facilities as necessary to ensure that foods, food-contact surfaces, and utensils are of a safe and sanitary quality. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 615, Sec. 7. (AB 226) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

fully enclosed food facilitycleaned, rinsed, and sanitizedoverhead protectioncross-contamination

Related Statutes

  • § 113986 Food Cross-Contamination Prevention
  • § 101325 Local Health Enforcement Fee Authority
  • § 101330 Annual Fee Assessment List
  • § 101335 Assessment Collection On Tax Bills
  • § 101340 Special Assessment Tax Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 113984.
View Official Source