Statistics indicate that food-borne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States. Each year, one in six Americans will become sick, 128,000 will become hospitalized, and 3,000 will die due to a food-borne illness.
Under the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) jurisdiction each food establishment is required to have one certified food manager employed by that establishment.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Milam County, is offering a professional food manager certification training course.
This program will be offered for $120 on March 23rd from 9 a.m, to 5 p.m. and March 25th 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Budget Host Inn and Suites Breakfast Room- 102 Lafferty Avenue in Cameron.
Cost includes training, materials, and a national food manager certification examination.
The food manager’s certification will be valid anywhere in the state of Texas for five years.
Attendance is required the entire time and for both days.
Deadline to register is March 2nd to insure a spot and a test.
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.
Almost 50 cents of every dollar Americans spend on food is spent on meals prepared away from home. Therefore, careful attention to food safety will help keep customers safe and satisfied.
Food-borne illnesses are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance, and medical bills. With these statistics, knowledge of how to prevent foodborne illness is essential. The benefits of improved food safety include:
• Increased customer satisfaction.
• Improved relationships with health officials.
• Prevention of bad publicity and law suits due to food-borne illness.
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.
Food-borne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices.
For more information about the Professional Food Manager Certification Training course of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, called “Food Safety: It’s Our Business,” call Micah Holcombe at 254-697-7045 or email mlholcombe@ag.tamu.edu.
Payment can be done by coming by the Milam County Extension Office at 100 E 1st Street, Cameron, TX. Deadline again is March 2nd to insure a test and a spot.
The Milam County FCH has a Facebook page.
Please make sure and go in and like the page to get information about Milam County Family and Community Health! FCH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Milam-County-Family-and-Consumer-Science….
You can also find the sign up for the Step Up and Scale Down program on the Facebook site.
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