In the food service industry, having the proper training is essential to not only making sure food is prepared in the best possible way, but is done so using a variety of safety precautions. From servers and cooks in restaurants to produce managers and those who may work in delis or other similar establishments, it is becoming increasingly important for these and other individuals to be thoroughly trained in all aspects of food safety. As more and more problems have surfaced in recent years regarding food contamination that has led to illnesses and deaths, many companies have now made it a requirement for all food handlers to have ANSI Food Safety certification.





Who is Considered a Food Handler?



In regards to who is in need of ANSI certification, a food handler is defined as a food worker who is in a non-managerial role. This can include servers, cooks, produce clerks, deli clerks, food processing personnel, and many others in similar roles. Since many local and state governments now require food handlers to possess food safety certification, this training is considered to be especially important for food handlers who are just beginning their jobs. By being trained in proper procedures from the outset, there will be less risk of mistakes being made that lead to food contamination.





How Food Becomes Contaminated



In taking this food safety certification course, food handlers learn just how foods become contaminated. Whether it is through chemical, physical, or biological hazards, a variety of illnesses can result, such as salmonella or E. coli. Along with learning the hazards that lead to food contamination, ANSI training provides details on the importance of time and temperature standards that must be met in the preparation of food and when it is being held or served, such as in buffet dining situations.





Keeping the Workplace and Equipment Clean



In many cases where food safety is compromised, it is due to workers failing to keep their work areas and equipment clean. Whether it is utensils or equipment such as blenders or other items, allowing food particles to build up in crevices or other areas allows bacteria to fester and grow, leading to potentially serious situations. As part of the ANSI Food Safety certification training, food handlers learn not only why it is important to keep their workplace and equipment clean, but also specific techniques to help them accomplish this in a safe and efficient manner.





Personal Hygiene



Due to many people living paycheck to paycheck in today's world, fewer and fewer people are willing to call in sick and miss a day's pay. As a result, they show up for work sick with various ailments, and unfortunately spread their germs throughout the workplace. For food handlers, this also means spreading their germs onto the food they are preparing or serving, putting customers at risk of getting sick as well. As part of ANSI Food Safety certification training, workers in these jobs learn how to keep their hands and bodies clean in order to negate possible contamination of food and food prep surfaces, and also how to identify which symptoms of illness make it best they stay home from work.





Common Sense and Good Judgment



Ultimately for those working in food handler positions, using common sense and good judgment is what can greatly decrease the chances of food contamination. By paying attention to keeping their work areas and equipment clean, knowing when it is best to stay home from work, or checking times and temperatures to ensure food is being properly prepared or stored, employees and customers can gain greater peace of mind.