A professional food manager certification training course will be offered Nov. 25, 2019, by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Parker County. The course will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude with the ServSafe Exam.

The program will be at the Parker County Agricultural Service Center, 604 North Main Street in Weatherford. The fee will be $115, and preregistration is due November 20, 2019. To register call 817-598-6168.

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.

These classes are offered in Parker County 2 to 3 times a year, because statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the U.S. This face-to-face class gives restaurant owners/managers an opportunity to learn the updated Texas Food Establishment Rules and prepare for the National ServSafe exam.  “It is good to prove 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.

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.

For more information, call the Parker County Extension Office at 817-598-6168.