If you are planning to open a restaurant or a bar, you should know that your business needs certifications. Irrespective of where you intend to open your restaurant, certification is a must in a food and beverage industry. If you are a food handler who makes near minimum wage, then your employer should be obligated to cover the costs of certification on your behalf. With a food handlers license, you’ll be more attractive as a candidate to the hiring managers.
Who Should Be Certified?
You are a food employee if your work involves coming into contact with unpackaged food, food utensils and equipment, or surfaces where food is placed. This applies to most back-of-house and front-of-house employees. Any individual who has the potential of coming into contact with food should be certified; hosts, servers (waitresses and waiters), hostesses, bar backs, chefs, line cooks, bartenders, and the dishwashers. Even when you are assuming a position at a restaurant or any other establishment where you will not be required to handle food, certification may come in handy. Apart from that, if you are assuming a position in a food establishment where you’ll come into contact with food at one point, then it’s in your best interest to get a license.
Online Certification
The good thing about most these licenses is that you can get them online. Most states offer food handling courses that are approved by the Department of Health Services. Moreover, these courses do not take much of your time since they can be completed in as little as two hours. A food handlers certification course can also be taken on your tablet or computer, offering the convenience you need. All you have to do is register, access the material provided and print out your certificate after finishing the course. Most courses of this kind do not offer quizzes or exams. If you are planning to venture into the food and beverage industry, you’ll definitely need a food handlers certification. For those within Texas, you can acquire your certificate at http://americansafetycouncil.com/content/texas-food-handler-certification. Taking part in this program is the fastest, easiest, and the most affordable way to begin your career in food and beverage.
Food Allergy Awareness Certification
At the moment, there is no cure for food intolerances and allergies. Some people avoid certain ingredients or foods to avoid reactions which in other cases may be life-threatening. Some consumers carry anti-allergies in case they experience adverse reactions. As a business worker, if you know how to use EpiPens, you could end up saving a life. Therefore, it is imperative to undertake a food allergy training course so you can be aware of the potential triggers for the allergic reactions. That way, you can ensure your customers are safe when they come visiting your restaurant.
Knowing about the training and certification required for food handlers is important. If you own a restaurant or work as a food handler, you need to be adequately certified in various matters that have to do with food handling. Food Handlers Certification and Food Allergy Awareness training are among the courses you need to undertake.
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