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HRS §321-401

Why this food safety program exists

This law creates a voluntary food safety program in the health department. It focuses on education and training for food workers and businesses, not on punishment. The goal is to prevent foodborne illness by helping people learn safe food handling.

businesses

The statute, as written — Findings and purpose

The purpose of this part is to establish a non-enforcement program within the department of health to provide voluntary food safety surveillance and control, and educational activities to assist the food service industry and foodhandlers. The legislature finds that education is necessary for attaining voluntary compliance in food safety. Informed food managers and foodhandlers are essential for the control of foodborne pathogens in foods served to the public. Restaurants, catering services, delicatessens, markets, and other food purveyors employ foodhandlers who need continuing education and training in food safety. Foodhandlers work with fresh, uncooked, or prepared foods which may contain foodborne disease microorganisms that can cause severe sickness to large numbers of people at the same time. It is the intent of the legislature to take preventive measures through educational programs and analytical studies of contamination outbreaks.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.