Importance Of Food Safety Education And Training

In recent years, there have been numerous outbreaks of foodborne illnesses that have led to many people becoming sick or dying. Whether it is salmonella or E. coli, these and other foodborne pathogens can prove disastrous once they are allowed to take hold in a restaurant, store, or other setting where food is present. As such, companies and organizations now place a much greater emphasis on food safety education and training for a variety of employees. In most settings, it is vital that restaurant managers, store managers, produce clerks, cooks, servers, and many others have this training to help them perform their duties in a safe and effective manner. When it comes to food safety certification California businesses realize it is important for many reasons, all of which can lead to safer food and working conditions.

Risk Perception

Without having food safety certification California employees in the food industry may not realize why certain steps taken in the preparation or delivery of food are needed. As a result, they may take shortcuts in their jobs or neglect certain details, especially if they are working under time constraints. When this happens, foodborne pathogens can quickly spread and start a disastrous chain of events. However, by having a background in food safety training, employees can better understand why certain steps in a process are important.

Business Losses

By not having food safety training California businesses put themselves at much greater risk of being shut down temporarily or even permanently. As any business owner realizes, once goodwill and an excellent reputation are lost with customers, it is difficult if not impossible to once again obtain. Thus, should an outbreak of salmonella or E. coli occur within a restaurant, the results can include not only embarrassment in the media and online, but also higher insurance premiums, lawsuits from those affected by the illnesses, loss of employees and vendors, and even closure of the establishment by regulatory officials.

Improved Communication

In having food safety certification California employees and managers in the food industry can have improved communication with one another regarding various issues, which can include the importance of keeping utensils and equipment clean, working only with reputable vendors, keeping foods stored at proper temperatures, and much more. When managers are able to convey why certain tasks are important to keeping everyone safe, it allows employees to do their jobs in an efficient and effective manner.

Better Job Opportunities

In any industry, people who have as much training as possible are likely to get better job opportunities and higher wages, and food service is no exception. According to recent surveys, 72 percent of businesses stated they would be more willing to hire individuals who had completed food safety training courses over those who lacked this training. Furthermore, 50 percent stated they would be willing to pay higher wages to those who possessed this training. Thus, whether a person is seeking an entry-level position or has many years of experience and is hoping to advance their career, completing food safety training can pay off not only in improved safety on the job, but also in a bigger paycheck and better job.

When examining food safety certification California businesses may sometimes believe additional training may be unnecessary. However, while additional education may cost a few more dollars, ignorance on this subject can cost much, much more in terms of dollars and even lives. Rather than wait until a problem develops, it is far better to have employees at all levels become certified in food safety. By doing so, a business protects itself, its employees, and its customers.