FDA Food Code 2022 Changes — 7 Key Updates
What changed, why it matters, and how it affects your ServSafe certification
The FDA Food Code 2022 changes represent the most significant food code updates in years. Published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the FDA Food Code serves as a model for state and local food safety regulations across the country. Massachusetts and most other states adopt these changes into their local food codes. Here are the 7 key FDA Food Code 2022 changes every food service professional needs to know — and how they affect your ServSafe food safety manager certification.
📑 7 Key FDA Food Code 2022 Changes at a Glance
1. Sesame Added as the 9th Major Food Allergen
The most significant FDA Food Code 2022 change is the addition of sesame as the 9th major food allergen. Previously known as the “Big 8,” the list now includes: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
What this means for you: All food service establishments must now identify sesame as an allergen on menus and train staff on sesame cross-contact prevention. The ServSafe Allergen course ($25) has been updated to cover all Big 9 allergens including sesame.
2. Enhanced Employee Health Reporting Requirements
The 2022 FDA Food Code strengthens requirements for reporting foodborne illnesses among food handlers. Employees must now report a broader range of symptoms and diagnoses to the Person in Charge, including infections from additional pathogens.
What this means for you: Managers must be more vigilant about employee health screening before shifts. The updated ServSafe Manager exam covers these expanded reporting requirements. Know the “Big 6” reportable illnesses: Salmonella Typhi, Nontyphoidal Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, Hepatitis A, and Norovirus.
3. Cooking Temperature Clarifications
The FDA Food Code 2022 changes include clarifications on minimum internal cooking temperatures for certain foods. While the core temperature requirements remain the same (165°F for poultry, 155°F for ground meat, 145°F for whole cuts), the 2022 update provides additional guidance on comminuted meats, injected meats, and mechanically tenderized products.
What this means for you: Make sure your kitchen staff understand that any mechanically altered meat (injected, tenderized, ground) requires higher cooking temperatures than whole muscle cuts.
4. Date Marking & Ready-to-Eat Food Storage
The updated food code reinforces the 7-day rule for ready-to-eat TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods: any TCS food prepared in-house and held at 41°F or lower must be consumed, sold, or discarded within 7 days. Day 1 is the day the food was prepared or opened.
What this means for you: Every item in your walk-in cooler that is TCS and made in-house must have a date label. Train all staff on proper date marking procedures and FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation.
5. Handwashing Procedure Updates
The FDA Food Code 2022 changes reinforce the 20-second handwashing rule and clarify when hand sanitizers can and cannot replace handwashing. Hand sanitizers may only be used after proper handwashing — never as a substitute. The code also emphasizes that handwashing sinks must be accessible and unobstructed at all times.
What this means for you: Post handwashing procedure signs at every sink. Ensure hand sanitizer dispensers are placed near — but not at — handwashing stations to avoid confusion.
6. Vomiting & Diarrhea Cleanup Procedures
The 2022 food code updates expand guidance on cleaning up vomiting and diarrhea incidents in food service areas. Establishments must now have a written cleanup procedure that includes isolating the area, using approved disinfectants effective against Norovirus, disposing of contaminated food within the area, and training designated employees on proper cleanup protocol.
What this means for you: Create a written vomit/diarrhea cleanup SOP and train at least 2 employees per shift on the procedure. Keep a cleanup kit stocked and accessible.
7. Expanded Person in Charge (PIC) Responsibilities
The FDA Food Code 2022 changes expand the duties of the Person in Charge (PIC) — the certified food safety manager responsible for food safety at the establishment during operating hours. The PIC must now demonstrate knowledge of allergen management, employee health policies, and active managerial control during health inspections.
What this means for you: The PIC must hold a current food safety manager certification (such as ServSafe) and be able to explain food safety procedures to health inspectors on demand. This reinforces why keeping your ServSafe certification current is essential.
How FDA Food Code 2022 Changes Affect Your ServSafe Certification
The ServSafe Manager exam and study materials have been fully updated to reflect all FDA Food Code 2022 changes. If you’re taking the exam for the first time or renewing an expiring certification, you will be tested on the new content — including sesame as the 9th allergen, expanded employee health reporting, and updated PIC responsibilities.
At Boston Food Safety, all our training materials, classroom instruction, and study guides incorporate the latest food code updates. When you attend a ServSafe class and exam ($150) or use our free study materials with the exam-only option ($99), you’re studying the most current FDA Food Code content.
📌 Stay Current with Food Code Updates
The FDA typically updates the Food Code every 4 years. The most recent version is the 2022 FDA Food Code, which replaced the 2017 edition. States adopt these changes on their own timeline — Massachusetts generally adopts within 1–2 years of publication.
To stay informed about food code updates and how they affect your certification, follow Boston Food Safety or contact us with questions. You can also review the full FDA Food Code on the FDA website.
Get Certified with the Latest Food Code Updates
Ready to earn or renew your food safety manager certification with the most current FDA Food Code content? Boston Food Safety offers 4 training options:
All packages include free study materials updated with FDA Food Code 2022 changes, proctored exam in 4 languages, and instant certificate. Also complete your ServSafe Allergen training ($25) to learn about the new sesame allergen requirement. Visit our FAQ or compare all training options.
Questions About Food Code Updates?
Our certified instructors can explain how the 2022 changes affect your business