Food manager certification training is set May 25 in Pampa

A professional food manager certification training course will be offered May 25 by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Gray County.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a food manager certification training course May 25.

The program will be at the Gray County Annex, 12125 Frederic St., Pampa.

The fee will be $115, and preregistration is due May 21. To register or for more information, call 806-669-8033. Class size is limited.

The fee includes training, materials and a national food manager certification examination. The Texas Department of State Health Services requires each food establishment to have one certified food manager employed. The food manager’s certification will be valid anywhere in the state of Texas for five years.

Joan Gray-Soria, AgriLife Extension family and community health agent in Gray County, said she offers this course twice a year because statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the U.S.

Typically, she said, her course attracts about 10 managers and restaurant owners.

“This face-to-face class gives restaurant owners/managers an opportunity to learn the updat

ed Texas Food Establishment Rules and prepare for the National ServSafe exam,” she said.

“I like providing an opportunity for managers to learn in a positive setting with other managers. This also helps ensure an understanding that makes our food safer when we eat out.” Training benefits

She said the benefits of improved food safety include:

Increased customer satisfaction.

Improved relationships with health officials. Prevention of bad publicity and lawsuits 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.