Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Sue Owens, 806-935-2593,csowens@ag.tamu.edu
DUMAS – A professional food manager certification training course will be offered April 22-23 at the Moore County Annex, 310 East First Street in Dumas, by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Moore County.
The cost is $125 and includes training, materials and a national food manager certification examination. The certification will be valid for five years, according to Sue Owens, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Moore County.
Statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the U.S., with one in six Americans becoming sick each year. And 128,000 of those will be hospitalized, while 3,000 will die due to a foodborne illness.
The Texas Department of State Health Services requires every food establishment to have one certified food manager on site, Owens said.
The “Food Safety: It’s Our Business” program is designed to prepare food service managers to pass the certification examination and 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.
Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices, Owens 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 about the Professional Food Manager Certification Training course contact Owens at 806-935-2593.
-30-