Haywood County residents dining out at local restaurants may not have noticed, but their dining experience recently became safer thanks to changes in North Carolina’s food safety code. The new rules went into effect Sept. 1.

The new food code represents the most comprehensive change in North Carolina’s food protection standards in more than 30 years.  It establishes practical, science-based rules and provisions to help avoid food-borne illnesses, like noroviruses and salmonella.

Under the new rules, employees must avoid handling ready-to-eat food such as sandwich and salad ingredients, bread and desserts, with their bare hands and all restaurants must have a certified food protection manager on duty during hours of operation.

Restaurant owners also must establish employee health policies ...