North Carolina on Saturday will begin using the federal food code governing restaurants and other food establishments.

"These new rules allow us to keep up with changes in food preparation techniques, while keeping public health and safety in mind," said David Rice, New Hanover County health director.

The N.C. General Assembly in 2011 passed a law giving the N.C. Department of Public Health Environmental Health Section the authority to adopt the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 2009 Food Code. The previous state code was adopted in 1976.