The Texas Legislature recently approved changes to the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER). The Texas Food Establishment Rules are in place to safeguard public health and provide consumers food that is safe and honestly presented. All food retail establishments in Texas are required to follow these rules. The recent revisions went into effect on October 1, 2015.
A major change in the revision rules is a requirement that all food employees must complete an accredited food handlers training program within 60 days of employment, effective September 1, 2016. The Food Handler’s Certificate is also required for anyone who wishes to sell food under the Cottage Food Law.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bosque County will offer two accredited Food Handlers courses in August to help food retail locations meet the requirement.
- Monday, August 15, 2016 at the Meridian Civic Center, 9:00-11:00AM
- Monday, August 29, 2016 at the Clifton Civic Center, 9:00AM-12:00PM
During the two-hour course, participants will learn food safety practices such as personal hygiene, cross contamination, and time and temperature control. The class on August 29 will include a special time of question and answer with Theresa Wills, the Health Inspector for Bosque County. She will share information about the requirements for becoming a food vendor at special events and cottage food law.
Following completion of the course, participants will receive a Food Handler’s Certificate that is good for two years and valid anywhere in the State of Texas.
To register for the course, contact the Extension Office at 254-435-2331 or visit our website at http://bosque.agrilife.org/. The cost is $20 per person. The class is taught in English but Spanish handouts are available, if requested in advance. For more information, contact Kate Whitney at the Extension Office or by email at klwhitney@ag.tamu.edu.
