Food Safety Certification - Who Needs It, Who Doesn't, and Why

Food safety certification is critical for many people who work in the food service industry. It doesn't matter whether you work in fast food or at a 5-star restaurant because everyone could use a little education about food safety. Some restaurants have different requirements than others, and states all have different laws about who needs to be trained in food safety within the workplace. Some states will require anyone working at a facility to have certification, while others might only require it of upper management and certain employees. Food safety training is much more important for a chef, for example, than it might be for a waiter or waitress.

Even if you aren't required to have food safety certification, it might still be something that you want to invest in. Having extra education and certification can allow you to get better paying positions and find more room for growth or promotions within the workplace. Generally, certification is best suited only for those who handle, prepare, and manage the preparation of food. However, anyone can benefit from knowing a little bit more about food safety. Many restaurants will require management positions to have this certification, but won't require it of part-time employees.

Most employees can be trained on the job to do the right thing when it comes to food safety, so certification isn't an issue. Moreover, there are many restaurants who won't train part time or even full time non-management employees simply because the cost and resources are too great, and there is a high turnover rate within this industry. Employers never know how long non-management employees will last, especially in the fast food sector, so many won't bother with certified training for their staff unless it is mandated by state law.

In order to figure out whether food safety certification is required in your state or not, you can contact your state or local health department and figure out what the legalities are. Keep in mind that even if it isn't required, food certification is often still a good idea simply because it can make everyone more efficient and productive on the job, allowing your restaurant or facility to serve food better and more responsibly than they might have otherwise. People tend to enjoy restaurants that pride themselves on being professional and responsible, and if you want your restaurant to succeed this is a critical step. You should consider getting certification if you own, manage, or cook/prepare food at any type of restaurant whether it is required or not.

Learn2Serve.com offers Online Food Safety Training for people who work in food service industry on affordable rates with flexibility and convenience.

No comments: