ARTICLE 5. Food Storage [114047. - 114055.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 5.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114047. Section 114047.

(a) Adequate and suitable space shall be provided for the storage of food. (b) Except as specified in subdivisions (c), (d), and (e), food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry location, where it is not exposed to splash, dust, vermin, or other forms of contamination or adulteration, and at least six inches above the floor. (c) Food in packages and working containers may be stored less than six inches above the floor on case lot handling equipment as specified under Section 114165. (d) Pressurized beverage containers, cased food in waterproof containers such as bottles or cans, and milk containers in plastic crates may be stored on a floor that is clean and not exposed to moisture. (e) Temporary alternate food storage methods and locations may be approved by the local enforcement agency.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114049. Section 114049.

Food shall not be stored in any of the following ways: (a) In locker rooms. (b) In toilet rooms. (c) In dressing rooms. (d) In refuse rooms. (e) In mechanical rooms. (f) Under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips. (g) Under leaking water lines, including leaking automatic fire sprinkler heads, or under lines on which water has condensed. (h) Under open stairwells. (i) Under other sources of contamination.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114051. Section 114051.

Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the food facility, such as cooking oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices, and sugar, shall be identified with the common name of the food, except that containers holding food that can be readily and unmistakably recognized, such as dry pasta, need not be identified.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114053. Section 114053.

(a) Prepackaged food may not be stored in direct contact with ice or water if the food is subject to the entry of water because of the nature of its packaging, wrapping, or container, or its positioning in the ice or water. (b) Except as specified in subdivisions (c) and (d), nonprepackaged food may not be stored in direct contact with undrained ice. (c) Whole raw fruits or vegetables, cut raw vegetables, and tofu may be immersed in ice or water. (d) Raw chicken and raw fish that are received immersed in ice in shipping containers may remain in that condition while in storage awaiting preparation, display, service, or sale.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114055. Section 114055.

(a) Products that are held by the permitholder for credit, redemption, or return to the distributor, such as damaged, spoiled, or recalled products, shall be segregated and held in designated areas that are separated from food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles. (b) All returned or damaged food products and food products from which the label has been removed shall be separated and stored in a separate area and in a manner that shall prevent adulteration of other foods and shall not contribute to a vermin problem.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026