- On October 21, 2022
- > Food Safety, Texas Food Handlers Card
When the Texas Department of State Health Services approved a regulation to make food handler certification a part of Texas Food Establishment Rules in 2015, many hospitality industry workers became nervous.
Having to study to receive a certification of any kind can be daunting, especially if it has been a long time since you joined any type of classroom environment.
However, there was never any need to panic. When you undertake the certification process through leading providers like TABC Pronto, you can enjoy a fast, easy, affordable course that’s 100% online. You can also obtain some of the following vital skills to put you at the top of your game in the food handling industry.
How to Clean Your Hands
While most people know how to clean their hands thoroughly, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, it doesn’t hurt to have a refresher to ensure you’re doing it properly to keep your customers safe.
You must always clean your hands before, during, and after preparing, handling, and serving food. Start by washing your hands and arms up to your elbows for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm, soapy water. Within the food handlers certification course, you’ll also learn about the importance of cleaning under your nails, the backs of your hands, and your fingertips. Finally, you’ll understand how to finish cleaning by rinsing the soap off and drying your hands with a paper towel.
It’s essential to wash your hands when you touch different foods, touch a contaminated surface, change tasks, or touch your body.
How to Avoid Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is when you transfer harmful bacteria from one object or surface to another. An example of cross-contamination would be cutting raw chicken on a chopping board before preparing vegetables on the same board. The bacteria from the chicken then impacts the vegetables.
Within the food handlers certification course, you learn how to avoid it, such as using different utensils and cutting boards for different food types and storing food away from each other in fridges.
Maintaining Safe Temperatures
Temperature control is crucial for safe food service. If food isn’t stored or maintained at an appropriate temperature, it can be unsafe to eat. You can learn about maintaining safe temperatures when enrolling in a food handlers certificate in Texas.
For example, you learn that refrigerated food should be kept at 39 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, and frozen foods should be at 0 degrees or below. All hot foods should be served at 140 degrees or above.
You can also learn all about the different food types and the best temperatures to cook them at, such as ground meats at 160 degrees, leftovers at 165 degrees, and fish and shellfish at 145 degrees.
Avoiding Foodborne Illnesses
Each year, millions of Americans are affected by foodborne pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. At least 3,000 Americans also die from related illnesses.
While it might seem like pathogens such as salmonella, E.coli, and campylobacter aren’t avoidable, they are. You can learn about preventative measures when you enroll in a food handling certification course.
Course content covers how to prevent food poisoning through staff hygiene, appropriate food storage and preparation, and ideal cooking temperatures and techniques. The more you know about preventing foodborne illnesses, the safer you and your customers can be.
Enroll For Food Handlers Certification In Texas With TABC Pronto
As daunting as it can be to further your education, you might be surprised by how worthwhile obtaining your food handlers certificate when working in the food service industry can be. Alongside being a legal requirement, a food handlers card it’s also an excellent way to brush up on the vital skills you need to prepare and serve safe food to your valued customers.
After a fast and easy study process, you might then decide to study toward your TABC certification, which helps you provide safe alcohol service as a server, waitress, bartender, or bar manager. Both study options can be obtained as a competitive bundle deal at TABC Pronto.
