Healthwise: food borne illness

Statistics indicate that food borne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States. Each year, 1 in 4 Americans will become sick, 1 in 1,000 will become hospitalized, and 5,000 will die due to a food borne illness.

During the past legislative session, a statute was amended that allowed the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to require each food establishment to have one certified food manager.

Recently, the Texas Board of Health adopted rules to implement this statute. Many of you have already received a letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding this. Under these new rules, each food establishment permitted by the Texas Department of State Health Services must have one certified food manager. New food manager certificates will be valid for 5 years.

Texas Cooperative Extension, Henderson County, is offering a food manager certification training course. This program will be offered for $89 on February 15th and 16th at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex 3rd Floor. Cost includes training, materials, and the State food manager certification examination.

This program is designed to not only prepare food service managers to pass the certification examination; it will

provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food. Almost 50 cents of every dollar Americans spend on food is spent on meals prepared away from home. Therefore, careful attention to food safety will help keep customers safe and satisfied.

Food borne illnesses are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance, and medical bills. With these statistics, knowledge of how to prevent food borne illness is essential. The benefits of improved food safety include:

Increased customer satisfaction

Improved relationships with health officials

Prevention of bad publicity and law suits due to food borne illness

By attending the course, food service managers will learn about:

identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling

preventing contamination and cross-contamination of food

teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees

complying with government regulations

maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings

controlling pests

Following simple food safety practices can prevent Food borne illnesses. For more information about the

Food Manager Certification Training course of Texas Cooperative Extension, called “Food Safety: It’s Our Business, ” call Kristin DeLong at 903-675-6130.

Important Dates

Wellness in Texas Master Volunteer program kicks off January 12th! For more information about how to become a master volunteer, please contact Kristin at the Extension Office. There are opportunities for everyone!

The Do Well Be Well with Diabetes program will begin on March 6th. The classes will be held for 5 Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Come to learn about managing diabetes through healthier cooking, managing prescriptions, handling glucometers and much more! The classes aren’t just for people with diabetes. Come to find out how to help a loved one! Kristen DeLong

County Extension Agent

Family & Consumer Sciences

Texas Cooperative Extension Henderson County

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

The Texas A&M University System, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.