Statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States.  Each year, 1 in 6 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 certified food manager employed by that establishment. 

 

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Shelby County, is offering a 2-day professional food manager certification training course.  This program will be offered for $125 on April 26 and 28, 2017 at the active Shelby County Courthouse, 2nd floor community room beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day.  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.  

 

This program is designed to not only prepare foodservice 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. 

 

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 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 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 

 

Foodborne 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 Jheri-Lynn McSwain, County Extension Agent at 936-598-7744 or jlmcswain@ag.tamu.edu.