Food manager certification course set

Eating out has never been more popular. Almost half the money spent on food is spent away from home. Everyone expects food to be safe to eat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that this year one in four Americans will get sick from eating contaminated food.

To reduce the risk, the Texas Department of State Health Services requires each food establishment under its jurisdiction to have at least one manager certified in food safety. Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Lampasas County, is offering a food manager certification course to help area food establishments meet the requirement.

The program, "Food Safety: It's Our Business," will be offered April 17-18 for $89. The fee includes training, materials and the state certification examination.

Pre-registration is required and must be postmarked by March 10. Pre-registration materials are available at lampasas-tx.tamu.edu; by mail by phoning 556-8271, ext. 140; or at the Lampasas and Burnet offices of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

The program is designed to prepare food service managers to take the state examination. It also will provide information regarding the safe handling of food. Benefits of improved food safety include increased customer satisfaction, improved relationships with health officials and prevention of bad publicity and lawsuits due to foodborne illness.

For course information, phone Marilyn May, county Extension agent, at 556-8271.