October 1, 2018
For More Information Contact:
Kathryn W. Goodman, TJHD Public Information Officer, 434-270-4802
(Charlottesville, Va.) – To help meet the local demand for Virginia’s new regulation requiring certified foodservice managers, the Thomas Jefferson Health District (TJHD) will facilitate a 2-day ServSafe manager certification course and exam on Monday, October 22, 2018, and Monday, October 29, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This course is facilitated in partnership with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and meets the requirements for new food regulations under Virginia Code Section 12VAC5-421-55 Section.
The new Virginia food regulations, effective July 1, 2018, require all foodservice permit holders to have at least one person on staff, with supervisory responsibility and authority to direct and control food preparation, to be a certified food protection manager. This certification can be obtained through demonstrated proficiency of required knowledge and information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program, such as the ServSafe course/exam.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), foodservice facilities with certified food protection managers on staff are:
- less likely to have foodborne illness outbreaks,
- more likely to have good food safety practices, and
- have better ratings and fewer critical violations on their inspections.
The October 22 and October 29 ServSafe course, with exam at the end, will be held at the Albemarle County Office Building on 5th Street Extended in Room A. There is a fee associated with the course/exam and participants are required to register in advance by contacting Kimberly Brooker with the Albemarle County Virginia Cooperative Extension at (434) 872-4579 or kimberlyb@vt.edu or online at https://apps.cals.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ServSafe.woa/wa/schedule.
More information about ServSafe and other certification courses/exams can be found at www.servsafe.com.