Training Course scheduled in April
LA GRANGE – Statistics indicate that foodborne illness remains 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 foodborne illness.
Under the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) jurisdiction, each food establishment is required to have one cer- tified food manager on site when it opens.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Fayette County, is offering a two-day professional food manager certification train ing course. This program will be offered for $125 on April 28 and 29 at the Fayette County Agri cultural Building at 255 Svoboda Ln., Room 104 in La Grange. The cost includes training, materials, and a national food manager cer- tification examination. The food
manager's certification will be valid anywhere in Texas for five years. The deadline to register is Tuesday, April 15.
This program is designed to prepare food service managers to pass the certification examina tion and 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.
Foodborne 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 es- sential. 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.
By attending the course, food service managers will learn about identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling, p r e v e n t i n g contamination and cross-contamination of food, teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees compling with government regulations, maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings and c o n t r ol l i ng pests.
Following simple food safety practices can prevent foodborne illnesses.
For more information about the Professional Food Manager Certification Training course of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, “Food Safety: It’s Our Business,” call the Fayette Coun- ty Extension Office at 979-968- 5831.
