Food facilities: retail food safety

The law sets protective-device requirements based on opening size and limits these openings to food delivery use, helping maintain sanitation controls at retail food facilities.

What the law does ​

• Allows service openings up to 216 square inches to use a solid or screened window that closes when not in use, without requiring a self-closing device.
• Requires openings larger than 216 and up to 432 square inches to have either an air curtain or a self-closing device.
• Requires openings larger than 432 square inches to have both an air curtain and a self-closing device.
• Requires passthrough windows and other service openings to be used for food delivery, not as general employee or customer entrances or exits.

Who it affects ​

• Restaurants and other retail food facilities using service windows.
• Local public health agencies that enforce the California Retail Food Code.