On October 6, 2021 the Pinal County Board of Supervisors approved changes to the Pinal County Environmental Health Code (PCEHC) incorporating changes required due to an update of Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.). Substantive changes to the Code include: Chapter I - General Provisions, Chapter II – Food Establishments, Chapter IV – Recreational Vehicles and Parks, Chapter VI – Campgrounds and Children’s Camps, and Chapter VII – Lodging Establishments. This includes the adoption of relevant changes to Arizona Administrative Code and incorporates the 2017 Food and Drug Administration Food Code (Food Code). Permit fees are not impacted. Highlights of the changes are as follows:

Chapter I – General Provisions

The permitting definitions and structure have been simplified to clarify the permitting process for the regulated community. The number of food permit types have been reduced and endorsements describing general practices conducted have been identified to reflect the diverse and innovative practices shown in a modern food establishment. A new class of establishment has been added to reflect service to highly susceptible populations such as day care centers, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Chapter II – Food Establishments

Adopts A.A.C. Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 1, Sections 101 through 119. Highlights include:

• 2017 FDA Food Code
• 2-102.12 & 2-102.20 The Person in Charge shall be a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) and is required to be onsite during the hours of operation.
• This provision of the Code includes a grace period to allow for establishments to get additional food service managers on staff.
• 2-501.11 Food establishments shall have written procedures for the clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events.
• 3-401.11 (A)(2) Amends cooking time for ratites, tenderized and injected meats, comminuted fish and meats from 15 seconds to 17 seconds.
• 3-401.11 (A)(3) Decreases cooking times for poultry, wild game animals, stuffed foods or stuffing containing fish from 15 seconds to < 1 (instantaneous).
• 3-401.13 Replaces the term “fruits and vegetables” with the term “plant foods.”
• 8-404.11 Adds new exception criteria indicating that the regulatory authority may agree to continuing operations during an extended water or electrical outage if written plans have been approved by the regulatory authority.
• Specific Rules pertaining to Mobile Food Operations and State Licensure.

Chapter IV – Recreational Vehicles and Parks

Adopts A.A.C Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 5, Sections 501 through 507.

• Focus is changed to itinerant operations such as RV Parks rather than mobile home communities with permanent home installations.

Chapter VI – Campgrounds and Children’s Camps

Adopts A.A.C Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 5, Sections 601 through 617 along with Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 4, Sections 401 through 403.

Chapter VII – Lodging Establishments

Adopts A.A.C Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 13 Sections 1301-1338

For more information please refer to the links below:

Pinal County Environmental Health Code – Effective date January 1, 2022

Arizona Administrative Code - https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/CodeTOC.htm