EMD Latest News and Information

Assembly Bill 671 establishes accelerated review timelines for restaurant tenant improvement plans, effective January 1, 2026. The law amends the California Retail Food Code to streamline the plan review process by requiring qualifying resubmittals to be reviewed within 10 business days, while retaining existing 20-business-day timelines for initial reviews and changes of scope. It clarifies definitions, eligibility, and review distinctions to help applicants navigate the updated approval process and avoid delays. 

Assembly Bill 592 became an effective law on January 1, 2026. The new law as it relates to the CA Retail Food Code (CRFC) impacts two sections. 

The first is Satellite Food Facilities and extends the allowance for satellite operations to operate without first applying and gaining approval, from January 2026 to indefinitely, if that jurisdiction has COVID-19 restrictions in place.

The second impact is that it allows certain defined restaurants to operate full food preparation with open windows, folding doors, or nonfixed store fronts during hours of operation, if the restaurant develops, and has approved by the local enforcement agency, an Integrated Pest Management and Food Safety Risk Mitigation Plan​. 

Environmental Management is looking forward to hosting NES to provide classes in Hazardous Waste Management, Advanced Hazardous Waste Management, Hazardous Materials Business Plan/CERS, UST Owner/Operator, APSA/SPCC Plan, and Universal Waste.

The raw Gulf oyster seasonal restriction in California has begun from April 1 through October 31, unless the oysters are treated with a scientifically validated process to reduce the level of vibrio vulnificus.

Untreated Gulf oysters received during this harvest period are considered adulterated and shall not be sold or served raw to consumers. Gulf oysters are from states bordering the Gulf of Mexico: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

For more information on the restriction, visit ​CA Department of Public Health Gulf Oyster Regulation Su​mmary​ and Notice to Retailers Regarding Gulf Oysters (English) ​/ Av​iso para Minoristas Sobre Ostras Crudas del ​Golfo (Spanish)​​.