Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Amy Wagner, 806-373-0713, aewagner@ag.tamu.edu
AMARILLO – Before the next state health inspection, eating establishments may want to review whether or not they have a certified food manager. If not, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is offering a course to help them meet state requirements.
By law, food establishments are to have at least one staff member with a valid certification, said Amy Wagner, AgriLife Extension family and consumer science agent in Potter County.
AgriLife Extension officials from Potter and Oldham counties are offering a two-day food manager certification training course, “Food Safety: It’s Our Business,” Feb. 26-27 at AgriLife Extension’s office in Potter County, 3301 E. 10th St., Amarillo. The registration deadline is Feb. 19.
If successfully completed, this course allows establishments to meet the state requirement, Wagner said.
The training includes materials and the state food manager certification examination. Cost of the course is $125. For those individuals wanting to test only, the cost is $65.
Food-borne illnesses affecting an establishment are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance and medical bills, Wagner said.
By attending the course, food service managers will learn about:
– Identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling.
– Preventing contamination and cross-contamination of food.
– Teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees.
– Complying with government regulations.
– Maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings.
– Controlling pests.
For more information, call Wagner at 806-373-0713, or Charli Weatherford, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Oldham County at 806-267-2692.
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