The City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department is currently seeking feedback on the revised Food Service and Retail Ordinance (FSO). Stakeholders and interested individuals are encouraged to review the ordinance and accompanying rules document in order to provide their input.
According to Dr. Mark DiMenna, the Environmental Health Department Deputy Director, "We want to make sure that people who feel like this impacts them have an opportunity to weigh in on the ordinance before it’s finalized." The department is working closely with food service providers to ensure the highest level of food safety protection for the community.
The updated FSO aims to replace the city's existing food safety ordinances with a more comprehensive and beneficial one for both the regulated community and consumers. Some key highlights of the updated ordinance include adopting the 2022 Food and Drug Association Food Code, unifying the Food Ordinance suite, updating permit and fee structures, revising the grading system for food establishments, and making enforcement updates with civil penalties, criminal penalties, and compliance plans.
The Albuquerque City Council is scheduled to deliberate on the new ordinance on May 6, with a potential implementation date set for this fall. Interested parties are encouraged to provide their feedback on the draft ordinance through the city's online platform.