18G — Food Protection Certificate not available for inspection
This is the paperwork side of the FPC rule: the certified supervisor is on duty, but the certificate itself isn't available to show. It's a non-scored administrative item (0 grade points), so it won't change your A/B/C, but it's an easy avoidable note on the report and signals disorganized records. Keep the original or a copy where you can hand it over in seconds. Don't confuse this with 04A — that's the much costlier "no certified supervisor present at all" (10 points).
What the inspector looks for
The Food Protection Certificate must be physically present to show the inspector — posted on the wall or in the manager binder. This is the document-on-hand check: a certified supervisor is here but can't produce the actual certificate. (Non-scored — it does not add grade points.)
How it's scored
This is an administrative item — it is not scored toward your A/B/C letter grade, but it can still be cited on an inspection.
How to fix it
Produce the certificate for the inspector; keep the original or a copy on site.
How to prevent it
Keep the current FPC posted or readily available on the premises at all times.
- ✓Keep the FPC posted near the permit, or a copy in the manager binder at the front.
- ✓Store a backup photo/scan of each certificate so a lost original is replaceable fast.
- ✓Make producing the certificate part of how you greet an inspector.
- ✓Re-print and re-post if the posted copy is faded, torn, or missing.
Reference: Health Code §81.15(b)
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