KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - -- Beginning next year, food workers must take a class on food safety before testing for their "food handler card." Food handling tests will only be given after each class. These regulations were changed by the Washington State Department of Health and take effect on January 1, 2000. Every person who works in a food service operation must have a Food Handler Card.

"The purpose of this new process to assure safe food handling practices by food workers and ultimately to increase food safety for the residents of Washington State," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

Food Handlers who pass the test must pay $8 in cash in order to receive their card. In Seattle-King County last year, almost 2,000 food workers took the food handler test.

Food workers can expect that the process to register and take the class, complete the test, and get their card will take approximately 2 hours from beginning to end. Food workers renewing their cards are also required to take the class before re-testing.

Initially, the classes and tests will be in English and Spanish. Classes in other languages will be available later in the year. Until then, people who speak one of the many other languages may call Public Health at (206) 296-4722 to arrange for an interpreter, or bring someone to interpret for them.

Public Health - Seattle & King County offers Food Handler classes and test per the attached schedule (first quarter of 2000).