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Certified Food Protection Manager

Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager Training Options

The state of Minnesota requires most businesses that handle food to have a certified food protection manager(CFPM) on staff. There is no one-size-fits all solution, so this week, we’d like to take a look at what types of training options are available to become a MN Certified Food Protection Manager.

Certified Food Protection Manager
Tim Niles Lead Instructor For Safe Food Training

Qualifying Certified Food Protection Manager Training Programs

There are two ways to gain proper certification to become a certified food protection manager. You can take a course led by an instructor where you have the ability to ask questions, and discuss issues with a leading professional in the industry or you can choose an online version of the course.

There are advantages and disadvantages to either choice. Online food safety training offers convenience taking the training when and where you want, but deprives the student of the ability to participate in discussions with fellow food service professionals and ask questions concerning the material. Instructor led courses as well as all certification testing must be taken at the locations and times scheduled, so there is less flexibility in the timing of the training.

There are also a couple programs that you can choose from. You can take a standard certified food protection manager course which meets the requirements of the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin, or if you wish further education on food safety, you may elect to take the nationally and internationally recognized HAACP training. HAACP provides education targeting the identification and management of food safety risks.

Finally, certification must be renewed every three years. Recertification must occur within six months of the expiration date of your current certification. Recertification requires a minimum of four hours of approved continuing education but does not require you to retake the exam. Most CFPMs retake the standard training once again as a refresher. As with the initial certification training, the recertification can be done either on-line or at one of the scheduled instructor led courses.

Do you or any of your staff need food safety certification? At Safe Food Training, we offer instructor led and online food safety certification classes and exams. We can help with HAACP or even design a specialized class to meet the needs of your business.

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The Benefit of Taking MN Food Manager Recertification Class

When the time comes for food service supervisors to renew their certifications, many opt simply to study and take the online course without enrolling in a full MN food manager recertification class. We think only positive things come out of taking the full course rather than skipping it during certification renewal.

The-Benefit-of-Taking-MN-Food-Manager-Recertification-Class

Image Credit: mayushka

Nothing beats interacting and engaging with an experienced food safety instructor and getting together with fellow food service professionals during training. MN food manager recertification classes sometimes bring up food safety issues you may have forgotten or may not be aware of. Interacting with fellow professionals and a trained teacher help brings solutions and answers questions about unclear topics.

There is a common misconception that a MN food manager recertification class will cost just as much as the initial food safety certification class and taking the course online can save money. Actually, the fees for instructor-led classes are the same as online recertification. With costs being similar, it makes sense to take advantage of an environment where you have the opportunity to ask questions and receive insights from a food safety expert.

Finally, taking the courses at home runs the risk of distraction. Taking the class in person keeps students focused and engaged in the material. Many students struggle to focus when given the opportunity to pause the training and become sidetracked by other tasks. Completing your recertification in one sitting during a scheduled class and testing session will reduce the chances you’ll lose focus while at home.

How do you prefer to handle recertification when you must renew? We offer both classroom and online instruction to meet all of our clients needs. We hope to see you when the time comes to renew your certification.