Titus County Extension office to offer courses for food service employees

The Titus County AgLife Extension office will be hosting two classes for food service employees. The first will be Food Handler’s course to be held on Feb. 16. The second will be a Food Manager certification course. The “Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER)” revision now requires all food employees to complete an accredited food handlers training program within 60 days of employment. A food handler’s course accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services is being offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Titus County on February 16, at the Extension office at 1708 Industrial Rd. Mt. Pleasant Texas. Classes are scheduled monthly; however, if the time or date is not convenient for your business, we can make a class with five individuals. This 2-hour course will now be required for all food service employees to help promote the service of safe food. The certificate is good for 2 years and is valid anywhere in the State of Texas. The course is a basic overview of food safety practices that are necessary to ensure that safe food is served at your establishment. Practices discussed include good personal hygiene, cross contamination, and time and temperature abuse. To register for the course, call the Extension office at 903-572-5201. The cost is $20.00 per person and must be paid in full before the course begins. The class is taught in English but Spanish handouts are available if requested in advance. Contact the Extension office to be place on our mailing list for upcoming Food Handler classes and Food Protection Manager course. If you have any questions please contact, Lou Ann Rollins, Family Consumer Science Agent at 903-572-5201 or larollins@ag.tamu.edu. The Food Managers Certification course will be held on Feb. 23 and 24. 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, Titus County, is offering a professional food manager certification training course. This program will be offered for $125.00 on February 23-24 at the Extension Office 1708 Industrial Rd. Mt. Pleasant TX. 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 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 Lou Ann Rollins, Family Consumer Science Agent at 903-572- 5201 or larollins@ ag.tamu.edu. We also offer monthly Food Handler classes and if the time or date is not convenient for your business, we can schedule a class with five individuals. The class is taught in English but Spanish handouts and examinations are available if requested in advance. Individual with disabilities who require auxiliary aide service or accommodation in order to participate in the event are encouraged to contact our office within 5 working days prior to the program. Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, national origin or genetic information or veteran status.