Food Safety Training for Employees- Training Employees to Safeguard

Mandatory food safety training for employees

Employees working in food service establishments like restaurants, grocery stores, cafes or bars have the responsibility to protect the public from foodborne illnesses. This means that food safety training measures are mandatory in order to work in the food service industry.

Employers should provide the information needed so an employee can get the proper food safety training before beginning employment. This usually involves taking a food safety training course and passing an exam. After the exam is passed, the Food Handler will receive documentation stating they have taken the appropriate training.

In this post, we'll discuss in more detail about Food Safety training, why it's important, and how to get proper training.

Employees will only know what to do if they are properly trained

Food Management employers should make every effort to instruct their
Food Handlers with the proper training to do their jobs safely. Adhering to the Haccp Food and Servsafe Food regulations will keep employees on task when handling food in a safe manner.

Most jobs in the food service industry require a certain level of training. If the employee doesn't have the proper training, mistakes can be made. This is why food safety training programs are necessary for employees in food service establishments.

The food industry is one of the most regulated industries in the world.

It’s not just about following the rules that are already there. You also have to create new ones and update them on a regular basis.

Learn More

Why food safety training is important

It's a basic understanding that food safety training is important but not everyone knows the exact reasons why. On their website, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ranks food safety as one of the top responsibilities of any food handling establishment. The FDA notes the reason for this is due to increased issues with foodborne illnesses.

Foodborne illness isn't just an ordeal for consumers who contract it, but there can be major ramifications for the restaurant or business linked to the outbreak. That is the reason why food safety training for all employees is so important.

Food safety is important for many reasons. An undercooked chicken breast can make you sick. A raw egg may make you sick. A raw shellfish may make you sick. You should never eat anything that is not cooked to the proper temperature. But you should also be careful about where your food comes from. Ever heard of food poisoning? It happens. The best way to avoid food poisoning is to always cook your meat and poultry to the right temperature and to only buy meat and poultry from sources you trust.

How to get the most out of your food safety training

Food safety is an important aspect of any business where food is handled for public consumption. Legally, business owners are required to have their employees suitable trained to each position. But how do you ensure they've absorbed the information learned in a food safety training program?

The best option is to have them take notes on what they are learning. Here are 5 key points to considering during food safety training for employees-

1. What was your takeaway from the training?
2. What is your main takeaway from the training?
3. What is your personal takeaway from the training?
4. What is your plan of action after the training?
5. What is your plan of action right now?

Key points in food safety training

Food safety is a topic that has come under the microscope in recent years. The general public is very aware of the ways in which they can be exposed to foodborne pathogens.

Contamination of food can happen at any time in a kitchen between storage, prep, and cooking. It can can also occur when food is being handled through the supply chain, when food is being disposed, if contaminated equipment is being used, or when not following good hygiene practices.

The key points in food safety training are to not take shortcuts when it comes to food handling. Hands should be washed thoroughly before handling food; the kitchen and work areas should be sanitized; food should be stored in the appropriate manner; and temperature and cooking times should always be met when dealing with raw meats or poultry.

Employees are the most important part of food safety. They are the ones in direct contact with the food and have to make sure that it is safe for consumers.

Foodborne illness is a serious problem and it affects millions of people every year.

Learn More

What should your food safety training program include?

Food safety training is more than just a cursory look at the basics of food preparation. An ideal food safety training program should give employees valuable information where they learn how to keep food, contact surfaces, fellow employees and the public free of contamination from foodborne illnesses.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all food handlers undergo food safety training. They recommend that food safety training programs include these topics-

• Cleanliness
• Cross-contamination
• Cooking temperatures
• Food storage
• Food preparation

Best practices for food safety training

Food safety experts agree that food safety training for employees is an important part of successful business operations. Actively addressing food safety will reduce the risk of a problem occurring that can damage the reputation and bottom line of the business.

Employees should be trained on using equipment, cleaning equipment, and verifying the sanitation protocols have been met. Food safety training is the best way to achieve good sanitation practices regardless of the size of the facility.

Another important practice in food safety is to insist that the sanitation team is provided with the tools and education they need to execute their jobs safely and effectively. Sanitation crews work with harsh chemicals and need proper training to be successful in removing biofilms without creating further food hazards.