Professional food manager certification training set for March 18, 21 in Pampa
Courses will focus on food safety, operation management
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is holding a two-day food manager certification training program this month in Pampa.
The training will be offered from 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. on March 18 and March 21 at the Gray County Annex, 12125 E. Frederic Ave. The cost is $125 and pre-registration is due March 14. To register, contact Joan Gray-Soria, AgriLife Extension family and community health agent in Gray County at 806-669-8033, or by email.
The registration fee includes the two days of training, course materials and the national food manager certification examination. Certifications will be valid anywhere in the state of Texas for five years.
Course educates, prepares participants for exam
The Texas Department of State Health Services requires each food establishment to have at least one certified food manager employed, said Gray-Soria.
The “Food Safety: It’s Our Business” program prepares food service managers to pass the certification examination and provides valuable education regarding safe handling of food.
Gray-Soria said the benefits of having improved food safety include increased customer satisfaction, improved relationships with health officials and prevention of negative publicity and lawsuits due to foodborne illnesses.
Course topics
One in six Americans can become sick and 128,000 will be hospitalized and 3,000 people die each year from foodborne illnesses. Following simple food safety practices could prevent the majority of these illnesses.
The course will cover the following topics:
- 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.
