By Janice Hall
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Food Safety Program is pleased to offer “ServSafe” to restaurant and foodservice organizations in the state of Alabama.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 5,000 deaths are caused by food-borne illnesses in the United States each year, and the majority are caused by the mishandling of food.
In recent years, customers have become increasingly aware of health scores and safe food practices because of constant media exposure.
One case of food-borne illness in an establishment can significantly damage an establishment’s reputation, causing a loss of customers and sales.
This is where the ServSafe Certification Program can help you.
ServSafe is a program accredited by the National Restaurant Association and is the industry standard in food safety.
The Food Safety Certification training course offered through ACES includes topics such as:
•Origin of contamination
•Food borne illness (causes and preventions)
•Safe food preparation and serving
•Food safety regulations and standards
•Current food safety codes
•How to effectively train your staff in food safety and security procedures
•Identify where hazards can be prevented, eliminated, or reduced in the flow of food from purchasing to service
•Safe cooking temperatures
•Correct procedures for cleaning and sanitizing
•How to safely store food and chemicals
•HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
•The relationship between personal hygiene and spread of disease
The program is designed specifically for food-handling employees of restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and daycares and other food service professionals.
The intensive 12-hour course is spread over two days, ending with the certification exam.
To meet state the National Restaurant Association requirements, participants must score at least 75 percent on the exam.
The certification is good for five years. If you currently have certification, please check to make sure you are still in compliance.
Once certified, managers are issued a ServSafe certificate, which can be displayed at the foodservice establishments. This certification not only demonstrates concern for public safety but also fulfills state requirements.
With the changes to the Alabama food code, it is very important to make sure that your restaurant is in compliance with the current laws.
Alabama law requires foodservice managers to have at least one person per facility with ServSafe certification.
Regulations may vary slightly depending on each county. Check with your local health department for specifics.
ACES has nine Regional Extension Agents representing each county in Alabama who are trained to teach the course.
While not teaching the course, agents teach food safety to consumers as part of other programs.
Hand washing training is also available to local food service organizations as well as food processing companies. This is a service to our counties, which is offered at no charge to clients.
Agents also answer many food safety questions over the phone.
The course fee is $120 per person when registering online and $125 when registering by mail, which includes the book, examination and testing materials.
Those participants that do not meet exam requirements may retest. The retest fee is $75.
For more information about ServSafe classes offered in your county or to register for an upcoming class, you can visit our website at www.aces.edu/foodsafety.
Our website has class information available statewide, or contact your local county extension office.
Janice Hall is a Regional Extension Agent in Food Safety, Preservation and Preparation with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.