What is a varience in food handling?

A variance in food handling refers to a formal permission granted by a regulatory authority that allows food establishments to deviate from standard food safety regulations. This is typically necessary when a specific food preparation or preservation method does not conform to established guidelines but is deemed safe under certain conditions. Variances are often required for processes like sous vide cooking or the use of alternative preservation techniques. Establishments must demonstrate that their method maintains food safety to receive approval for the variance.