Special Processes: When You Need a Variance
ROP, sous vide, smoking, and curing
Some processes require a written variance from the regulatory authority before you can do them at all, because the standard Food Code temperatures do not apply.
Reduced-oxygen packaging (ROP), including vacuum sealing and sous vide.
Curing and smoking food to preserve it rather than to flavour it.
Treating food with additives to extend shelf life.
Sprouting seeds or beans.
Serving raw or partially cooked animal food, such as raw oysters or rare hamburgers, for which a consumer advisory is required.
Special processes and Food Code items
Free 580-question ServSafe Manager practice bank with a per-domain weakness map.