Fort Worth - Texas
Food Handler Training & Food Manager Certification
Texas Food Safety Requirements
Texas requires food safety training and certification for employees in the food service and hospitality industry. Texas food safety training is for employees (such as chefs, cooks, servers, preparers, vendors, caterers, supervisors and managers) who are involved in preparing, storing, or handling food that work in: (restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, delis, mobile food trucks, assisted-living, day care centers, and convenience stores).
Texas Food Handlers
Texas requires food handler training for all individuals working in Texas food service establishments - (i.e., restaurants, cafes, bakeries, delis, mobile vendors, food trucks, bars, kiosks, convenience stores, and other food service employees).
As of September 1, 2016, according to the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER), all food handler service individuals working in Texas facilities who are involved in preparing, storing, or handling food must complete an accredited food handler training course. Employees have have 60 days from date of hire to get their certificate.
- Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) – Chapter 228.33
(d) All food employees, except for the certified food manager, shall successfully complete an accredited food handler training course, within 60 days of employment.
(e) The food establishment shall maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler training course for each food employee.
Texas Certified Food Managers
Texas requires each retail food establishment to have a person-in-charge, an owner, or manager of a food establishment be a Certified Food Manager (CFM) as outlined in the Texas Food Code by successfully passing an ANSI-accredited and Texas Department of State Health Service approved – food safety certification exam.
- Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) – Chapter 228.33
(a) At least one employee that has supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service shall be a certified food protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program.
The Food Safety Manager Principles Course provides necessary training to help you prepare for the nationally-accredited ANSI Certification Exam.
The Food Manager ANSI Certification Exam is taken to certify that the food manager has demonstrated that he or she has the knowledge, skills and abilities required to protect the public from foodborne illness and is valid for 5 years.
Texas Food Safety Courses
- Food Handler
- Food Manager
- Seafood HACCP
- HACCP - 4hr
- HACCP - 16hr
Texas Food Handler Safety Training Card/Course
Course Description
The Texas Food Handler Training Course is online, easy to use and takes about 2 hours to complete. The course is ANSI-accredited, state-approved and will take you step-by-step through everything you need to know, including food safety definitions, safe hygienic practices, safe food temperatures, cross-contamination of food, and food-related illnesses. All food safety content materials and exams are available in both English and Spanish.
This course is accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services - DSHS (Learn2Serve - TXDSHS 9) and by the American National Standards Institute - ANSI (Provider #0975).
- Texas Accredited Food Handler Internet (Online) Training Program (Learn2Serve.com - 360Training.com)
- Food Handler Training Program Accredited by ANSI - (360Training.com)
At the conclusion of the course, the learner will be tested on their knowledge of the learning objectives and content. Upon successfully passing the exam, the learner will be issued a Food Handler’s Certificate.
Credit Hours: 2 hrs
Course Outline
- Identify biological, physical, and chemical contamination.
- Identify foodborne illnesses, signs of food spoilage, types of food prep contamination, and proper temperature control methods.
- Safely store and prepare meat, poultry, and vegetables.
- Demonstrate effective food handling techniques that promote cleanliness and safety in food establishments.
- Discuss the importance of proper personal hygiene in the workplace.
- Implement appropriate procedures to receive and store food.
- Summarize practices for properly cleaning and sanitizing food contact materials and surface.
Course Completion:
A certificate of completion will be issued to individuals who meet the following course requirement:
- Minimum seat time of 75 minutes
- Completion of the course and successfully passing the final exam with a minimum passing score of 75%
Individuals who do not pass the exam on the first attempt will be allowed one additional attempt to review the course content and pass the final exam
Why is Texas food safety training important in Fort Worth?
Why is food safety training and certification so important and why does Texas require it? The answer is very simple. Food safety and sanitation are integral to operating a successful food service and every consumer deserves and has the right to be served food that is safe to eat.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that because of foodborne illness 76 million people fall ill, 325,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 Americans die annually. Because of these alarming statistics, many states require certification of food managers which may include a food safety exam.
Texas Food Safety Regulations
Restaurant and Food Establishement Service
- Texas Food Establishments Rules (TFER) – Chapter 228
- Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) – Chapter 228.33 (Management and Personnel)
- Summary of Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) – Chapter 228 (PDF)
- On October 11, 2015 the new Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) went into effect. Some of the new significant changes in the TFER include:
- A new statewide mandate that all food employees successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment. This food handler requirement began on Sept. 1, 2016.
- Added requirements for the “original” certified food protection manager certificate being posted conspicuous to the customer’s location.
- Added requirement for food handler certificates to be located on site.
- Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
- Texas Administrative Code – Title 25: Health Services – Chapter 229: Food and Drug – Subchapter K: Texas Food Establishments – Section 229.176: Certification of Food Managers
- Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 437 – Regulation Of Food Service Establishments, Retail Food Stores, Mobile Food Units, And Roadside Food Vendors
Texas Food Safety Contact Info
Texas Department of State Health Services
Environmental and Consumer Safety Section
Food Establishments Group
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 834-6753
Web: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/food-managers/default.aspx
City of Fort Worth -
Texas
200 Texas St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 392-2222
Web: http://fortworthtexas.gov/
Texas Food Safety Local Requirements
The Food Handler Training Course and Food Manager Certification are approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and is valid throughout the entire State of Texas.
