Health District offers Certified Food Safety Manager Card

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 30, 2013

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District will offer an enhancement of its food safety training program with the introduction of a Certified Food Safety Manager Card. The new card is optional and offers food safety professionals with additional training and education. The new card is $20; however, training and certification costs will vary depending upon which program applicants utilize. For information, visit the health district website, www.SNHD.info. The Certified Food Safety Manager card will be available Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The Certified Food Safety Manager card will replace the Food Safety Training Card for applicants who choose to take the additional training. The Certified Food Safety Manager card will be good for up to five years while the current Food Handler Safety Training card is valid for three years. Course work and an exam must be taken from an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certified food protection manager program. Certificates from an unaccredited source will not be honored as appropriate training for the Certified Food Safety Manager card.

Following are ANSI accredited food protection manager programs:

The National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe program: http://www.servsafe.com/
Prometric: http://www.prometric.com/foodsafety/default.htm
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals: http://www.nrfsp.com/
Learn2Serve: http://www.learn2serve.com/

Upon completion of the training program, applicants can bring their certificates to the health district to receive the card at one of the following locations:

Southern Nevada Health District: 330 S. Valley View Blvd.
East Las Vegas Public Health Center: 560 N. Nellis Blvd., Ste. E-12
Henderson Public Health Center: 520 E. Lake Mead Pkwy
North Las Vegas Public Health Center: 955 W. Craig Rd. (by appt. only call (702) 759-1616)
Mesquite Public Health Center: 530 Hafen Lane
Laughlin Public Health Center: 3080 Needles Hwy, Ste. 1900

The new card signifies that the holder has completed a higher level of food safety training. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends that restaurants employ certified food safety managers. A 10-year study found that compliance with food safety practices was higher in retail food establishments that employed certified food safety managers. In addition, the new card allows food establishments another option to comply with health district regulations that require a ‘person in charge’ to have a comprehensive understanding of food safety practices.

Certified Food Safety Manager card holders will need to be retested with an accredited agency and provide a current certificate when they renew the card at the health district.

Food Handler Safety Training cards are still required for any food establishment staff member. The Certified Food Safety Manager card replaces the requirement for those who choose to take enhanced training. Applicants choosing this option do so in lieu of the health district’s online food safety training course.

Food handlers taking the online food safety training course are required to receive a passing grade before they can obtain their Food Handler Safety Training Card. The total cost of the card is $40. Online training is $20 and must be paid at registration and the balance of $20 must be paid when applicants receive the card at a health district location. Applicants must bring their online training certificate to receive their card. The Food Handler Safety Training Card is valid for three years. A late fee of $15 will be assessed if the card is not renewed prior to its expiration date.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.