Pennsylvania Food Preparation Certification

Pennsylvania food preparation certification is an essential part of your restaurant requirements.

Since 2004, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has required food service businesses to have at least one employee in a supervisory position to get a food preparation certificate. This is required of essentially every type of establishment that sells food to the public, except for retail stores that sell prepackaged food.

Where to Take Food Preparation Certification Courses

The Department of Agriculture has a list of approximately 70 courses that are approved. A few examples of these courses are the ServSafe program and SuperSafeMark. Employees do not have to be sent off to courses should their schedule conflict. There are many flexible options for the classes, such as online with proctored exams, one-day classes, two-day classes, and home study courses.

When To Require Food Preparation Certification

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture requires you to have at least one supervisor to have food preparation certification within 90 days of the food service business opening. Should the employee quit or be fired, you would have another 90 days to get an employee certified. Test results post in one to three weeks, so as to allow restesting or another employee going through the certification within the allotted 90 days.

Topics Covered in Food Preparation Certification

The main topics that are covered in the food preparation courses cover how food-borne illnesses are spread. The employee will get education in the different types of food-borne illness, proper temperatures for food, hazardous food, the economic damages of food-borne illness, and practical food microbiology.

Cost of Food Preparation Certification

Food preparation certification course prices vary depending on the company that you go through. It also depends on what type of course the employee is taking. Online and home study courses are significantly cheaper than the one- and two-day training sessions. Course materials will also directly affect pricing. The cost can be as low as $50, or as high as $200.

Advantages of Food Preparation Certification

The advantages of having a supervisor go through the food preparation certification courses are numerous. Food safety is a priority of restaurants, and having a supervisor who knows all of the rules, regulations, and ways that food-borne illnesses occur is incredibly helpful. Proper food safety will reduce the occurrences of bad word of mouth that could come from someone getting food poisoning.

References

• Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Food Employee Certification
• Pennsylvania Restaurant Association: Certification / Recertification Programs
• American Fodo Safety