During
the last several years, foodhandler's training has become an integral part of
the food safety program in Kings County. Starting in 1993, the staff volunteered
to develop a lesson plan for the new training course. This resulted in a workbook
being developed to be used along with a video and lecture. Since that time the
training has been continuously improved upon with the addition of color handouts
to complement a Power Point slide show, video, and lecture format. The basic class
focuses on HACCP principles and the CDC risk factors for food safety. At the end
of the course, an exam is given and those students who achieve a passing score
receive a foodhandler's card which is valid for two years. Most attendees sign
up on a voluntary basis from advertisements in our quarterly newsletter or from
word of mouth from our field staff.
In
order to accommodate a wider range of clients, we now offer customized training
sessions. These include on-site training to allow more employees from one facility
to attend; classes in Spanish by one of our two bilingual Environmental Health
Officers; advanced HACCP classes for those who want to go beyond the constraints
of the basic information; and shorter courses to augment food classes in local
high schools and community colleges. All of these services are provided at no
cost to permitted facilities and are available to non-regulated facilities such
as food product manufacturers on a fee for service basis. In addition, we will
be happy to provide training for nonprofit groups, clubs, or charitable organizations
involved in food preparation interested in learning the latest information about
food safety. Those wishing to schedule a class should contact our office at 559-584-1411.
It
is important to note that completion of this training class will not take the
place of the Food Safety Certification requirement in AB 1978. Click the "Food
Safety Certification Workshops" link at the bottom of this page for more
information about scheduled Food Safety Certification classes in the Central Valley
area.
