All students must obtain a Food Handler Permit to obtain the PTA certification. It is mandatory for all trainer when dealing with clients and food, diets and supplements, fresh or cooked food to be implemented along with the training program to insure success, one must know food. How to handle it, hoe to store it, what temperature to cook it, and when to serve it. Quality and safety of food when applied carefully, will guarantee proper absorption and proper digestion.
How many time clients have cancelled a training session because they felt sick, or their stomach hurts, or they did not feel good after eating their meal. Students must be educated to teach the clients on the proper handling and storing food.
Usually the process of obtaining this permit will take about 4 to 6 hours. We have included a link below for ServeSafe for you to find a class and get certified prior to completing your curriculum. No certification will be issued unless a food handlers permit is obtained.
Proof must be sent to the PTA office by fax or e-mail. Fax # 1-818-766-3220
Click here to find a class near you to obtain a food handlers permit
Certification as a food handler is a must for all PTA Nutrition Students
You must be certified as a food handler to obtain any PTA Nutrition Certification.
The explanation for the food handler certification/permit.
Food Safety is everyone's business. It's important to you as Private Trainer and a Nutrition Consultant or a Nutrition Specialist that your clients are well aware of food safety and sicknesses that are caused by mishandling food.
And it's important to your client that your job and interest in ensuring safe and healthy eating for better results.
A new law requires that most retail food facilities which handle unpackaged food of any kind employ a person who is certified in food safety.
Certification in food safety simply means that you will be required to have a basic knowledge as to the causes of food borne illness and its prevention, pass an approved examination, and possess a valid certificate in food safety.
Why does a PTA Certified Nutrition Specialist®/Consultant need to know this information about food handling and safety?
Most of the time the client does not realize that food safety and handling may lead to digestion problem, contamination, may cause Salmonella, and other food born bacteria that could affect the digestive process and cause pain and suffering and poor health.
What is a Certified Food Handler (CFH)?
A CFH is an owner, operator or any other employee who has supervisory responsibility for the preparation of food or oversight of the operation and who has a valid CFH Certificate issued by one of the five approved food safety certification examination providers.
What would happen if there is no CFH employed at my facility?
As of January 1, 2000, if neither you, as the owner, nor someone in your employ is a CFH, your permit to operate may be suspended and you will have to close your food establishment until you become a CFH or hire one.
What would happen if the CFH left my employ?
State Law allows 60 days for you to then become a CFH or hire one in a position of supervision.
Does my food establishment require a Certified Food Handler?
All food establishments which prepare, handle or serve unpackaged food are required to have a CFH in their employ.
This includes:
* Restaurants and most markets
* Caterers
* MFPUs
* Ice cream and yogurt shops
* Bed and Breakfasts
This does not include:
* Liquor stores which sell only prepackaged foods (do not make their own ice).
* Mobile food facilities (eg, hot dog carts)
* A bar which only sells beer in cans and bottles
* Retail market which sells only prepackaged foods and does no food preparation
* Temporary Food Facilities
What is the cost to take the CFH examination and receive a certificate?
The law states that a least one of the approved exams must be available for no more than $60.
This cost limit, however, does not include additional training which may be needed in preparation for the exam.
When do I need to be certified and for how long is the CFH certificate valid?
You must be certified by December 31, 1999. The CFH certificate is valid for three years. If you food operation opens after December 31, 1999, you will have 60 days to have a CFH in your employ.
Can one person serve as the CFH for more than one facility?
No, a CFH may only serve as the CFH for one facility, except in the case of several facilities in one location under single ownership.
What are the responsibilities of the CFH?
The Certified Food Handler is responsible for the safety of the food preparation and service. This includes ensuring that all employees who handle, or have responsibility for handling unpackaged food of any kind have sufficient knowledge to ensure the safe preparation and service of the food.
Does the CFH need to be present at the food facility at all times?
No, the need only be employed by the facility. Then Environmental Health inspector will require verification that the CFH is employed by the facility.
Do I need to post the CFH Certificate or send it in to Environmental Health Services?
No, but the original must be kept on file at your food facility at all times.
How do I become a Certified Food Handler (CFH)?
There are three ways to become a Certified Food Handler in the State of California:
Complete a CFH Training Course and successfully pass the approved certification examination offered by a provider of one of the following exams:
* National Restaurant Association (ServeSafe®)
* Professional Testing, Inc.
* National Assessment Institute
* Chauncey Group International
* Dietary Managers Association
Some providers may offer the exam without having to take the food handler course. You must, however, be very knowledgeable and experienced
in food protection in order to pass this exam without first having taken the course.
If you currently hold a CFH certificate from one of the approved providers, your certificate may still be valid. If more than three years have passed
since the date of issuance, you will need a new certificate.
How do I contact a provider of a State approved certification exam?
You may contact one of the approved CFH exam providers by telephone or e:mail. There are also numerous companies and agencies which administer the approved exam as well as provide training in preparation for the exam.
Food Handler certification contact: www.servsafe.com Toll Free: (800) 765-2122
National Restaurant Association : www.nraef.org
How long is an approved CFH course?
Most approved courses are at least 8 hours and some are 16 hours. Several of the Community College courses are 36 to 42 hours.
Where are Certified Food Handlers training courses held?
CFH training classes are scheduled by the course providers and are offered everywhere. Contact the CFH Training Providers for the location of a training near you. Or search the internet for classes.
Will CFH classes be held on weekends and evenings?
Many of the CFH Training Providers will offer classes during evenings and weekends. Some CFH Training www.servsafe.com Providers may even offer classes in the late evening or early morning hours if there is a demand for the training.
Will CFH classes and the certifying exam be offered in different languages?
Yes. Many of the approved CFH Training Providers offer training and the certifying exam in a variety of languages. Others offer the training and the certifying exam in a variety of languages. Others offer the training in English only, with a study text and exam given in several languages
You can find a training and certification course in your city by calling the Local City Hall and obtaining the information.
The course will cover the Following:
Major Controversy : are all calories created equal?
Carbohydrate and Proteins Serve a different functions - What is more important?
Caloric count or biologic function?
Consumption of Simple Carbohydrates following exercise.
Loading.
Proper eating for proper activities.
Stress and exercise.
The Role of carbohydrates.
Classifications of Fat.
Fat ingestion and the Heart.
Nutrition programming.
pH levels.
The concept of the basic metabolic rate and the set point phenomenon.
Protein's dual function
and much more...
Please visit ServeSafe website and signup for the class. All students must complete and obtain a Food Handler Permit prior to completion of certification curriculum.
Serve Safe website
www.servsafe.com
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