CALIFORNIA FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

There is no doubt the saying, “As California goes, the nation goes” is proven by the fact that the state of California leads the country in compliance regulations for food and beverage safety. California’s innovative state regulations have been duplicated in many other states.

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Factors that Comprise Food Safety in California

In California, all businesses involved with food and beverages must comply with the California Department of Public Health Food Safety Program under Food Code 1999.

In keeping with California’s continuing advancements, this Food Safety Program is intended to provide food safety from farm to table and rank as a world-class leader in food and beverage safety.

Under this state’s food safety program, the definition of food also includes soft and alcoholic beverages.

One of the mandates of this state’s compliance is that a food safety manager must be onsite wherever food and beverages are served.

As such, the California food safety certification requirement is part of the Food Code 1999. The legal requirement across the whole state mandates that “there is at least one ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Certified Food Protection Manager on shift at any time where food is being served.”

Under Food Code 1999, the regulations include but are not limited to:
. Foods (packaged and fresh)
. Meats, fish, poultry, and milk and milk products
. Additives
. Wild mushrooms
. Game animals

With regard to food safety, the California Retail Code also includes safety precautions in the handling of foods such as hand washing, sanitary facility conditions such as walls and floors.

Under the California Retail Code, facilities that must comply must also require staff to complete training and receive Food Safety Manager Certification.

Food Safety Certification

A food safety manager certification is highly valued by business owners and others in the food and beverage industries.

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This certification is accepted by state health inspectors as a verification of qualifications to handle and manage food and beverage operations.

The Food Safety Manager Certification consists of several courses of study which are available online or in classes. The study courses as offered by most training schools and online include:
. Unit 1 – Foodborne illnesses and their sources
. Unit 2 – Safe handling and flow of food
. Unit 3 – Equipment, cleaning, and pest management
. Unit 4 – Management responsibilities

In each of these categories, the topics of these units are further expanded upon such as:
Unit 1 – Person-in-Charge (PIC)
1-3 Food Hazards
1-4 Biological Contaminants
1-5 Bacteria
1-6 Viruses
1-7 Toxins
1-8 Parasites
1-9 Fungus
1-10 Chemical Contamination
1-11 Physical Contamination
1-12 Deliberate Contamination
1-13 Cross-Contamination
1-14 Food Allergies
1-15 Recognizing Illness
1-16 YOPI
1-17 Case Studies

Unit 2
2-1 Introduction
2-2 Hygiene
2-3 Handwashing
2-4 Ready To Eat Foods
2-5 Gloves
2-6 Purchasing Foods
2-7 Receiving Foods
2-8 Storing Foods
2-9 Thawing Foods
2-10 Cooking
2-11 Cooking Temperatures
2-12 Microwaves
2-13 Utensils Serving Display
2-14 Hot & Cold Holding
2-15 Cooling Food
2-16 Reheating Food
2-17 Case Studies

Unit 3
3-1 Introduction
3-2 Workspace
3-3 Floor / Table Equipment
3-4 Dishwashing Facilities / Equipment
3-5 Cleaning vs. Sanitizing
3-6 Food Contact Surfaces
3-7 Cleaning Schedules
3-8 Storing Wares
3-9 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
3-10 Inspecting for Pests
3-11 Treating for Pests
3-12 Trash Management
3-13 Case Studies

Unit 4
4-1 Introduction
4-2 Effective Management Practices
4-3 Regulatory Controls
4-4 Inspections
4-5 Active Managerial Control
4-6 Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
4-7 Case Studies”

Although this certification program is taught in four major units, the entire online course takes approximately 8 hours of study. The exam can be taken at several sites in California online and offline.

Food Manager Certification Practice Test

The Food Safety Certification California requires is offered for optimal convenience for those seeking certification. When courses of study are completed and students are ready for the certification exam, it is recommended they consider taking the Food Manager Certification Practice test before proceeding to the actual exam.

The Food Safety Certification Practice Test is offered online and in designated schools. In addition, the final exam is provided by food and beverage server training programs which are ANSI certified.

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Alcohol Seller Server Training

Another important aspect of food safety manager training and certification to the food and beverage industries is alcohol seller server training for managers who are responsible for the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages to the public.

Although the California Responsible Beverage Training (RBS) is not required at the state level, many employers of restaurants and other facilities that serve or sell alcoholic beverages to the public require this training from employees to avoid the potential for legal or insurance liabilities. The California RBS training course offers topics as recommended by California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

It is also important to check with municipal regulations for the particular city in which the establishment is located. Municipal regulations vary from city to city.