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There’s something truly fulfilling about preparing meals for others. However, what you do in your own kitchen doesn’t always translate to a job in food service. At home, there are no rules for making meals except the ones you choose. You probably don’t wear a hairnet, and you might not worry too much about cross-contamination of ingredients.

When you prepare food commercially, though, it’s a different story. You have to follow rules and regulations that are designed to prevent contamination, minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses, and generally protect consumers from harm.

If you are involved in handling food as part of your job, the state of Texas wants to make sure you know how to do so safely and responsibly. That’s why employees who work in food preparation must complete a food handling course within 30 days after they are hired. Here’s what you should know about earning food handler certification in Texas.

What Does a Food Handler Do?

A food handler is someone who stores, prepares, serves, or handles unpackaged food in any capacity. They work in places like restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, bars, grocery stores, schools, and hospitals. Anyone working in a food service position may qualify as a food handler, including cooks, servers, bartenders, and dishwashers.

All food handlers must undergo training in food safety. Their training covers how to practice proper sanitation and hygiene, from washing hands and keeping food prep areas clean to wearing aprons, hairnets, and gloves.

Food handlers must also cover any wounds and notify managers when they are ill. In addition, they must follow proper food prep and storage guidelines. This includes using the right equipment when touching food, following hygienic procedures while cooking and serving, keeping raw foods separate to prevent contamination, and understanding temperature controls for hot and cold foods.

Food Handler Certification

Obtaining your food handler card in Texas starts with completing a state-approved online training course. Your course will cover the following topics:

• Proper food safety practices
• Personal hygiene
• Preventing cross-contamination
• Time and temperature controls for cooking and storage
• Proper cleaning and sanitization practices
• Preventing foodborne illnesses

You must also pass an assessment when your training is complete. For your convenience, this assessment might be offered directly after your course. Your food handler card is valid for two years from the date it is issued, at which point you’ll have to recertify.

Finding the Right Course for Your Career

Testing for job certification can be stressful. Failing to complete your training could mean that you lose your job. This is why it’s so important to find a program designed to help hardworking employees succeed.

You’ll want a training course that offers 24/7 online access for self-paced learning, as well as materials developed by industry experts and educators. An instant certificate of completion makes it easy to meet the deadline for obtaining a food handler card.

Are you eager to get your career underway? Obtain your food handler card in Texas with help from RocketCert. Contact us now to learn more.