Need a Career Upgrade? Food Safety Manager Training Can Give it to You

What is Food Safety Manager Training?

A food safety manager is an overseer or supervisor at a food establishment who regulates the quality of food prepared and served by food handlers . They make sure the food meets the guidelines set by the local health department . The protection manager has to ensure that the food being prepared is safe to serve and eat. In order to become a food manager, a person must undergo food manager training on environmental health and food safety practices.

Food safety manager training is a critical part of hospitality and foodservice training. It is designed to prevent outbreaks of food-borne diseases, which can impact public health and the health of the economy. The training provides managers with knowledge of food safety practices. Several states in the U.S. require at least one certified food protection manager at food establishments where food is prepared and served.

A person working in the food industry, such as a food handler can become a food safety manager . They simply have to complete a certified food protection manager training course and pass the approved certification exam offered by an accredited organization. There are multiple food safety training courses online that educate participants about food hazards and proper food handling practices. The courses have to be ansi accredited ANSI is the American National Standards Institute that develops operational standards across industries.

What Does Food Safety Manager Training Cover?

Food safety training covers lessons on buying, storing, cooking, and displaying food safely. The duties of a food safety manager also include training other employees, maintaining documentation, ensuring adherence to quality standards, educating suppliers, and conducting safety audits.

A training course for a food protection manager or food safety manager covers the following-

• Identifying and helping reduce causes of food-borne diseases
  
• Learning the proper way to handle food to ensure it is safe for consumption
  
• Ensuring a safe and hygienic environment to prepare and serve food

The training course teaches safe food handler protocols, health safety practices like hand-washing, personnel training, and provides up-to-date food safety information, including new health department regulations and procedures.

Other Than Food Safety Manager Training, What Else is Needed?

If a person wants to obtain food safety manager certification, the fastest way is to enrol for a manager certification program. There are several ansi accredited programs offered by each state restaurant association and the national restaurant association .

A majority of food safety manager jobs need formal post-secondary training, as well as on-the-job training. The basic skillset required of a food safety manager includes thorough knowledge of food safety regulations and the ability to enforce them at their food establishments . This includes training other food workers about the basics of food safety regulations.

Job listings for food safety manager positions often ask for degrees or certificates in management, nutrition, health and safety in a related field, and/or food retail experience. Some employers also require HACCP certification. (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point or HACCP is a food management system that deals with food safety.) As per the Retail Food Store Sanitation Regulations, a food protection manager also needs to know how to prevent food-borne diseases.

Employers of food establishments require food safety managers to ensure that all the food safety regulations and procedures set down by the local health department are meticulously followed. The food safety manager has to develop and enforce security and food safety standards, policies, audits, food safety training programs and product inspections, among other responsibilities.

Where Can I Enrol For a Food Safety Manager Training Program?

The food safety manager certification is offered on completion of the food safety manager course and exam. An online course is the easiest way to get your food manager training . It's quick, cost-effective and makes learning easy. Most of the states in the U.S. accept food manager certification provided by the following online course vendors.

• ZipFoodHandler.com

ZipFoodHandler offers both food handler and food safety manager online training . The manager certificate program offers video recording and visual course content, covering the food safety manager curriculum in way that's intuitive and fun. If a course participant fails the exam on the first attempt, they can retake the exam for free the second time around.

• National Registry of Food Safety Professionals

The National Registry offers manager certification under two categories-

1. The Food Safety Manager Certification Examination (FSMCE) that meets ANSI CFP standards.
   
2. The International Certified Food Safety Manager (ICFSM) which is accredited under ANSI CFP standards as well as ISO 17024 standards.

• 360training
  

The Learn2Serve certification by 360training is offered to those who complete their 90-minute food protection manager course and pass the exam with at least 71%. The course expires one year after purchase.

• AboveTraining/StateFoodSafety.com

The manager-level food safety training course helps prepare for the Food Protection Manager Certification Exam. A person can opt for a practice test to prepare for the real test experience.

• Always Food Safe

The food safety manager certification is accepted across the country. The program provides video-based training and offers an online exam.

• ServSafe

The ServSafe food safety manager certification is recognized across most U.S. jurisdictions. A person can clear the ServSafe online exam from anywhere, on any device.

• Prometric

Prometric offers Food Protection manager certification which is ANSI CFP accredited. The certification can be obtained after completion of a paper-based or online exam and is accepted in 50 states.

After Food Safety Manager Training, What Next?

Most food safety manager certifications are valid for five years from the date of issue. The manager certificate offered by the vendors listed above is valid in most states. But the health department of some states and counties may ask for additional local certification.

After the certification expires, you need to redo the food manager training course. This requires you to take the exam all over again. The significance of this is that it brings a food manager up to speed with new rules rules and regulations in the foodservice industry.

Work Opportunities For a Food Safety Manager

Certified food manager jobs are available in restaurants, hotels, school cafeterias, and any other business premises where food is prepared and served. Food safety managers often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Most food manager jobs require a candidate to have a valid manager certificate . Some ask for a high school diploma and several years of work experience in the food service industry. However, candidates with no work experience, but with training from a college, vocational or culinary school can also find jobs in the industry.

The average food safety manager salary in the USA is $77,500 a year, or $39.74 per hour according to a report by the employment portal, talent.com. Entry level positions start at $74,050 a year, while experienced workers can make up to $97,500 per year.

The is demand for food safety managers is only growing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that foodborne illnesses cost the economy more than $15.6 billion annually. Declining consumer confidence in food safety has a direct impact on the foodservice industry. It to ensure that their food meets all the required food safety standards and consumer health is safeguarded that restaurants seek out qualified food managers.




Washington State

Food Safety Manager Training FAQs

• All food safety certifications are required to be accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). A food safety certification is a prerequisite to securing a food safety manager job in virtually every U.S. state.
• Businesses that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged and non-potentially hazardous beverages are required to have at least one food safety certified owner or employee on the premises.
• Any business involved in the food service industry must have a licensed accredited food safety manager at the establishment within 60 days of starting operations. The certified personnel doesn't have to present at the facility during all hours of operation.
• Food safety professionals can also expand their careers internationally. Currently, 74% of these professionals have international responsibilities, and industry reports expect this figure to go up.