Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Joan Gray-Soria, 806-669-8033, Joan.Gray-Soria@ag.tamu.edu
PAMPA – A professional food manager certification training course will be offered March 26-27 by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Gray County.
The meeting will be at the Gray County Annex, 12125 Frederic St., Pampa. The fee will be $125, and preregistration is due March 22. To register for the course, call 806-669-8033.
The fee 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.
Gray-Soria said statistics indicate foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the U.S. For that reason, the Texas Department of State Health Services requires each food establishment to have one certified food manager employed.
This program is designed to prepare foodservice managers to pass the certification examination. It will also provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food, she said.
She said the benefits of improved food safety include:
- Increased customer satisfaction.
- Improved relationships with health officials.
- Prevention of bad publicity and lawsuits due to foodborne illness.
By attending the course, foodservice 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, contact Gray-Soria at 806-669-8033.
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