Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Board
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
 
chapter
Retail Food Establishment Regulations [2 VAC 5 ‑ 585]
Guidance Documents
Chapter Information
Description A regulation that adopts appropriate portions of the FDA Food Code and establishes definitions, set standards for management and personnel, food operations and equipment and facilities, and provides for inspection and emmployee restriction within retail food establishments.
State Authority Section 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia
Federal Authority None entered
Text of Regulation Link to Virginia Administrative Code
Goals of Regulation 1. The maintenance of a scientifically sound basis for regulation of the retail food industry that is consistent with regulations enforced by other states.

2. The facilitation of the shared responsibility of the food industry and the government of ensuring that food provided to the consumer is safe and does not become a vehicle in a disease outbreak or in the transmission of communicable disease.

3. The ensuring of a regulatory approach that is uniform throughout the retail segment of Virginia's food industry by administering standards that are equivalent to those administered by the Virginia Department of Health in restaurants and food service establishments.
Meetings See all meetings (11) relating to this chapter.

Contact Information
Name / Title: Pamela Miles  / Program Manager, Office of Dairy and Foods
Address: P. O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23218
Email Address: Pamela.Miles@vdacs.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)786-8910    FAX: (804)371-7792    TDD: (800)828-1120
Current Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Amendments to Align Regulation with 2022 FDA Food Code Fast-Track Submitted to the Registrar and awaiting publication (12/30/2024).

Past Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Update to align regulation with FDA's 2017 Food Code and 2019 Food Code Supplement Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/24/2021.
Amendments due to 2018 legislation allowing dogs on premises and exempting rabbits from game animal inspection requirements
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/06/2019.
Amendments to reflect the 2013 FDA Food Code Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/12/2016.
Amendment of Existing Food Regulations Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/01/2010.
Promulgate new regulation (Chapter 585), Repeal Chapter 580
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/16/2007.

Periodic Reviews
Last Activity Status
1/4/2021 Agency Completed Retain As Is