Food-Handling Courses
Harmful bacteria may be present in the soil or water where produce grows and may come in contact with produce. Handling and eating contaminated foods may lead to a foodborne illness, which may cause serious or fatal infections. Therefore, learning proper procedures through food-handling courses (such as the HACCP or ServSafe) is imperative for those who wish to serve or sell food to the public. Does this Spark an idea?
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HACCP Standards Training & Certification
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Every American business that serves or sells food needs to have a food safety system in place, which helps to ensure that food being served is safe to eat. HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) is a system consisting of seven principles, which is applied to a written food safety program course designed for food handling.
The HACCP course meets the regulatory requirement of compliance with the FDA code and the USDA. It is also recognized by major employers, insurance firms and enforcement agencies. The following topics covered during the course include prerequisite programs, food defence, hazard analysis, determining critical control points, critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, verification and record keeping.
To receive HACCP certification the course must be completed and passed with a final exam grade of 70 percent or higher.
ServSafe Training and Certification
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ServSafe training and certificates are available to all managers and employees who require courses in food handling. Managers will learn the dangers of foodborne illnesses and how to prevent them through studies in sanitation. This course teaches managers personal hygiene and how each employee may be a safe food handler.
Other subjects include cross contamination, cooling and reheating, pest management and ways to keep employee training ongoing throughout the workplace. Employees will learn basic food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination, temperatures and sanitation.
Each state may vary in regulatory requirements; therefore it is imperative to find out regulatory requirement details.
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Food Microbiology and Sanitation Safety Certification
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Food microbiology and sanitation is offered at the New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Many colleges and universities may teach similar courses. This course in food handling covers food service sanitation procedures such as facilities, food handling, codes and management responsibilities.
Food microbiology and sanitation helps prepare students for the National Restaurant Association examination for Food-safety certification (ServSafe).
Online Food Handling Courses
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For those who require quick certification, courses may be offered online with various organizations, such as the Food Handlers of Texas. They offer a food-handling course that is approved and valid at all health departments within Texas. The course is 30 minutes long and does not require an exam. The permit is available immediately after the course for printing, so it is not required to visit the health department.
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