Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a variance?

The correct choice indicates that packaging food using traditional methods is not a requirement for obtaining a variance. A variance is a formal approval that allows food establishments to introduce procedures that deviate from standard food safety regulations due to specific needs of their operation.

In the context of food safety, certain activities such as using additives to alter food properties, sprouting seeds or beans, and offering live shellfish from a display tank each have unique risks that require an establishment to demonstrate a scientific basis for the proposed method of food handling or processing. These activities often necessitate an adjustment to standard practices that are designed to ensure food safety.

In contrast, packaging food using traditional methods is typically not something that falls under the necessity for a variance, as it usually conforms to existing food safety regulations without requiring special approval. Such methods can include things like wrapping food in paper or placing it in basic containers, which are generally deemed safe as long as other food safety guidelines are followed. Thus, a variance is not required for these standard packaging methods.