REGISTRATION OF FOOD HANDLERS [ S.L.231.46 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 231.46
REGISTRATION OF FOOD HANDLERS 
REGULATIONS
1st January, 2002
LEGAL NOTICE 178 of 2001.
Title and 
commencement .
1. (1) The title of these regulations is the Registration of
Food Handlers Regulations.
(2) These regulations shall come into force on the 1st January,
2002.
Definitions.
Cap. 231.
"commercial operation" in relating to food or contact material
means any of the following:
( a ) selling, possessing for sale, and offering, exposing or
advertising for sale;
( b ) consigning, delivering or serving by way of sale;
( c ) preparing for sale or presenting, labelling or wrapping
for the purpose of sale;
( d ) storing or transporting for the purpose of sale;
( e ) importing or exporting,
and, in relation to any food source, means deriving food from such
source for the purpose of sale or for purposes connected with sale;
"food business" means any business in the course of which
commercial operations with respect to food or food sources are
carried out, including the import and export of food, and whether
carried on for profit or not;
"food handler" means any person engaged in the preparation,
manufacture and treatment in terms of the Act in a food business,
whether for profit or not, and who handles or prepares food
intended for human consumption; and food handling shall be
construed accordingly;
"high risk food" means foods which, under favourable
conditions, support the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria and
are intended for consumption without treatment which would
destroy such pathogens;
"registration document" means a form of identification issued by
the Superintendent to food handlers in possession of a valid
certificate and in accordance with the categories of the Schedule;
"the Superintendent" means the Superintendent of Public Health;
"valid certificate" means any certification in good food hygiene
practice issued by a body approved by the Superintendent, and
certification shall be construed accordingly.
2 [ S.L.231.46 REGISTRATION OF FOOD HANDLERS
Registration of 
food handlers.
3. (1) No person shall act as a food handler without
registering as such with the Superintendent.
(2) No person shall employ any food handlers in any food
business who are not registered with the Superintendent and are in
possession of a current registration document.
(3) Any food handler who applies for registration with the
Superintendent must possess a valid certificate as described in the
Schedule to these regulations.
Identification of 
food handlers.
4. (1) Any food handler registered with the Superintendent
shall be issued with a registration document.
(2) The Superintendent shall keep a register of all food
handlers issued with a registration document.
(3) Such registration document shall be valid for a period of
two years or five years depending on the type of valid certificate
presented.
(4) The Superintendent shall renew the registration document
when requested to do so provided a valid certificate is also
presented when the request is made.
(5) Such registration document shall be available for
inspection by an authorised officer when so demanded.
Levy of 
registration fee.
5. There shall be paid to the Superintendent a fee of one lira
when issuing or renewing a registration document. Such fee shall
also be payable for the issuing of a replacement registration
document.
Medical 
requirements.
6. Food handlers are to submit to any medical examination or
treatment as shall be required by the Superintendent.
REGISTRATION OF FOOD HANDLERS [ S.L.231.46 3
SCHEDULE
(Regulation 3)
Category Description Validity of Certificate
A. 1. Food handlers involved in the
preparation, manufacture packaging or
handling of non-high risk food and wrapped
food
2 years
2. Food handlers not directly involved in
the preparation or manufacture of food
2 years
B. Food handlers involved in the preparation or
manufacture of high risk food, and retailers
and wholesalers that handle open (unwrapped)
high risk food
5 years
