AgriLife Extension offers new food safety course for cottage food industry operators

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Individuals who operate a cottage food business in Texas are required to complete an accredited food-handler course, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. 
 
According to Dr. Jenna Anding, AgriLife Extension program leader for nutrition and food sciences, College Station, beginning Jan. 1 of this year  an owner of a cottage food business is requiredto have a food handlers card from a program accredited under the Health and Safety Code of the Texas Department of State Health Services. “The course or program should provide the basic food safety training and understanding of good food safety practices to help cottage food business owners produce a safe product for the consumer,” Dr. Anding said. 
 
Rebecca Dittmar, AgriLife Extension program specialist for food protection management in Kerrville, said to help cottage food operations meet the food safety training requirement, AgriLife Extension has developed an accredited food-handlers course for these operators. 
 
“This training can help assure them that the food they prepare in their home to sell is safe,” Ms. Dittmar said. 
 
The new “Food Handlers for Cottage Food Businesses” course is about two hours long and is available online at http:/foodsafetyonline.tamu.edu. There is a certificate fee of $15. 
 
She said upon completion of the course, participants will be able to print a food handlers card. The card will be valid for two years and can be verified online. However, the cost of the course does not cover any fees associated with the person’s local health department. 
 
“One of the main benefits of this online course is that it is accessible from anywhere there’s Internet access and can be taken at any time,” Ms. Dittmar said. 
 
However, she said, there are also opportunities in some counties to take these courses “face to face.” 
 
“We want people to be aware that there may be opportunities to take the course in person, if they prefer that method of training,” Ms. Dittmar said. “We recommend that people contact their AgriLife Extension county office to see if and when one of these types of courses might be offered.”
 
For more information on online and in-person food safety courses through AgriLife Extension, contact Ms. Dittmar at 830-896-9037 or rsdittmar@ag.tamu.edu.
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