Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Sue Owens, 806-935-2594, csowens@ag.tamu.edu
DUMAS – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Moore County will offer a Professional Food Manager Certification Training course Oct. 22-23 at the AgriLife Extension office for Moore County, 310 East First Street, Dumas.
The training will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It will include training, materials and a national food manager certification examination, said Sue Owens, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Moore County. The certification will be valid for five years.
Under the Texas Department of State Health Services jurisdiction, each food establishment is  required to have at least one certified food manager on site, Owens said.
This program is designed to not only prepare food service managers to pass the certification examination; it will provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food, she said.
The benefits of improved food safety include: increased customer satisfaction, improved relationships with health officials and prevention of bad publicity and lawsuits due to foodborne illness, Owens said.
Food service managers attending the program 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.
Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices, Owens said.
Advanced registration is required by Oct. 19. For more information or to register, call the AgriLife Extension office in Moore County, 806-935-2594.
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