ServSafe & NEHA Best Practices Archives

Crucial Food Safety Standards: Protect Health, Save Lives Now

January 20, 2025/0 Comments/in ServSafe & NEHA Best Practices/by Jeff Webster

As a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM), understanding and implementing key food safety standards is crucial for maintaining a safe and compliant food service operation. These standards cover various aspects of food safety, from personal hygiene to temperature control and allergen management.

Essential Food Safety Standards and Regulations

Understanding FDA Food Code and Compliance

The FDA Food Code serves as a model for food safety regulations across the United States. Key areas to focus on include:

Temperature control for potentially hazardous foods
Employee health and hygiene practices
Proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures
Cross-contamination prevention

Certification Processes for Food Protection Managers

Becoming a CFPM involves passing a certification exam accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Certification is typically valid for 3-5 years, depending on the certifying organization. Your CFPM license in Minnesota is good for three years.

Principles of HACCP and Food Safety Standards and Management

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a systematic approach to food safety. The seven HACCP principles include:

Conduct a hazard analysis
Identify critical control points
Establish critical limits
Monitor critical control points
Establish corrective actions
Implement verification procedures
Maintain documentation and records

Implementing Effective Food Safety Practices

Establishing a Culture of Food Safety Standards and Training

Create a strong food safety culture by prioritizing it at all levels of your organization. Develop comprehensive food safety training programs and provide regular training sessions.

Personal Hygiene and Safe Food Handling Protocols

Enforce strict personal hygiene standards and implement safe food handling protocols, such as using separate cutting boards for raw and cooked foods and storing foods at safe temperatures.

Prevention of Foodborne Illness and Managing Risks

Implement a HACCP system to monitor critical control points throughout food preparation and service. Train staff to recognize common foodborne illness symptoms and maintain detailed logs of food temperatures and cleaning schedules.

Sanitation, Pest Control, and Maintenance of Food Service Establishments

Develop a comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing schedule, implement an integrated pest management program, and promptly address any maintenance issues that could compromise food safety.

By mastering these food safety standards and practices, you’ll be better prepared to lead your team in maintaining the highest levels of food safety and quality.

Strong CFPM Course Advice About Raw Milk Peril

January 13, 2025/in ServSafe & NEHA Best Practices/by Christine Dantz

In Minnesota, the MN Food Code strictly prohibits the sale or service of unpasteurized (raw) milk in any licensed food establishment. While you can buy raw milk directly from a farm for your own home, serving it in a restaurant or commercial kitchen creates a massive liability because of the high risk of Listeria contamination.

Navigating the Minnesota Food Code: The Raw Milk Debate

When we host a personalized 8-hour Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) course for local food service leaders, we often dive into the “gray area” topics that standard training might skip. What does the Minnesota Food Code actually say about serving raw milk?

There’s a lot of noise online about the supposed health benefits of unpasteurized dairy. Some claim that pasteurization “kills” milk’s nutritional value, while others think it’s just better for you. But as a professional food manager running a busy kitchen in St. Paul or a catering operation in Duluth, your priority isn’t the latest health trend—it’s regulatory compliance and customer safety.

What Your CFPM Course Teaches About Raw Milk

Our mission at Safe Food Training is to help your business meet Minnesota’s essential food safety standards without all the fluff. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Food Code (specifically Section 32D12), the law is very specific: milk and milk products must be pasteurized if they’re offered for human consumption in a retail food establishment.

If a customer wants raw milk, they’ve got to go directly to the source—the farmer. As a licensed food entity, you can’t act as a middleman.

The Risk Factor: Listeria Monocytogenes

The main reason food safety experts and the FDA advise against raw dairy is the high risk of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes the foodborne illness listeriosis. In our Minnesota food safety certification courses, we talk about how Listeria is a “hardy” bacterium. Unlike many other pathogens, it doesn’t mind the cold; it can actually grow at refrigeration temperatures.

Why Listeria is a Top Concern for CFPMs:

Resilience: It survives in drains, on equipment, and in cold storage.
Severity: It has a much higher hospitalization rate than other common foodborne illnesses.
Symptoms: Persistent high fever, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Vulnerability: It poses life-threatening complications for those with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and pregnant women.

Scientific evidence from the FDA doesn’t support the claim that raw milk is a “superfood” that’s worth these risks. When you’re responsible for the health of hundreds of guests a day, a foodborne illness outbreak isn’t just a PR nightmare—it’s a danger to your community.

The "Choice" Narrative: How to Get Certified

Deciding how to get your team certified is just as important as the safety protocols you follow. Whether you like the energy of a distraction-free classroom or the convenience of your home office, we’ve got you covered.

In-Person vs. Online Training

Feature	In-Person CFPM Training	Online CFPM Training
Environment	Distraction-free, focused learning	Flexible, self-paced
Interaction	Real-time Q&A with Jeff Webster	Digital modules
Pass Rate	Very high due to hands-on prep	Depends on your study habits
Best For	New managers & those needing a refresh	Tech-savvy, busy schedules

Personal Choice vs. Professional Liability

Do you know the rules about raw milk in restaurants?

As an individual, you’ve got the right to choose what you put into your body. But once you step behind the line of a commercial kitchen, you’re the Certified Food Protection Manager. You’re the gatekeeper. Both Minnesota law and the FDA agree: raw milk poses too great a threat to be served to the public.

Many other food safety risks fly under the radar, and a standard CFPM MN course can’t cover every niche topic. If you’ve got questions about specific ingredients or local ordinances, just ask—we’re here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (MN Food Safety)

Common questions include:

Q: What is the primary service that Safe Food Training offers?

A: We specialize in providing personalized, 8-hour certified food protection manager licensing courses tailored for food professionals across Minnesota. We also offer dedicated continuing education training at the same time.

Q: How often must I complete continuing education to maintain my food safety certification in Minnesota?

A: In Minnesota, you’ve got to complete approved continuing education every three years to maintain your Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) status.

Q: Does the 8-hour course include the exam?

A: Yes. Our comprehensive 8-hour course includes the certification exam, so you leave the session with everything you need to stay compliant.

Q: Can I schedule a private session for my restaurant staff?

A: Definitely. We focus on creating a convenient learning experience that fits your needs. We can focus on the specific food safety challenges of your operation—whether you’re in a school cafeteria, a large restaurant, or a catering business.

Need to renew your credentials or train a new manager?

Register for an upcoming Minnesota Food Safety Course today!

Certified Food Managers Focus On The Zero-Waste Favorability pyramid

Certified Food Managers Focus On The Zero-Waste Challenge

November 11, 2024/in ServSafe & NEHA Best Practices/by Jeff Webster

Zero-waste has been thrown about frequently over the past decade; Minneapolis has its 2040 Plan. As Certified Food Managers can tell you, there are many challenges to achieving zero waste in any facility. Biodegradable takeout containers tend to be more expensive than plastic or Styrofoam. Food waste recycling can also raise utility costs, and some essential supplies may not have eco-friendly options. In some instances, practical solutions to eliminate waste may be lacking. This week, we want to examine solutions and dilemmas when attempting to become a waste-free food production facility.

Zero-waste and Certified Food Managers

Discussions with Certified Food Managers reveal key factors for minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Cost
Feasibility
Incentives

When discussing a zero-waste facility with certified food managers, they may ask, “How much will it cost?” Consider shopping around if you want to reduce waste with biodegradable or recyclable takeout containers. Your current supplier might not offer good-quality, eco-friendly options. Still, with the shift away from plastic and Styrofoam, you should find a supplier that supports your zero-waste efforts.

Another complaint that we hear is that food recycling is not feasible due to space restrictions. Investing in a trash compactor can greatly reduce the amount of space you will need for your trash, recycling, and food waste.

Government Incentives

Finally, we hear many business owners asking if there is anything in it for them if they go through the hassle of becoming a zero-waste outlet. Regarding incentives, we urge you to contact your local city and county offices or the company that provides your garbage and recycling pickup to see if there are any incentives for implementing waste-recycling programs at your facility. Incentives may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but by making a few phone calls, you may discover that forming a zero-waste action plan may work out to your benefit.

This article about biogas production in Western states provides an example of what some zero-waste communities do with their leftover food.

At Safe Food Training, we like to hear the community’s thoughts on the industry’s current trends. Do you think zero-waste food production is possible, or are some agencies setting their sights on an unattainable goal?

A New Look At Food Safety Certification Hand-Washing Stations

November 4, 2024/2 Comments/in ServSafe & NEHA Best Practices/by Christine Dantz

As a certified food safety manager, you know that proper handwashing is the cornerstone of preventing foodborne illness. While the 20-second scrub is a critical skill taught in every certification course, your responsibility extends far beyond just the technique. The physical environment where handwashing occurs—the handwashing station itself—is a critical control point that demands constant oversight. A poorly maintained station can undermine even the best-trained staff, creating a weak link in your food safety defenses.

This guide will move beyond the basics to focus on three essential areas of management: perfecting the setup of every handwashing station. It will also reinforce the critical moments for hand hygiene and extend your high standards to guest-facing areas.

Perfecting the Setup: Anatomy of an Effective Handwashing Station

An effective handwashing policy is only as good as the tools you provide. Consider every designated hand sink, from the kitchen line to the employee restroom, as a vital piece of safety equipment. Your role is to ensure each one is always ready for service.

The Non-Negotiables: Soap, Towels, and Hot Water

Handwashing is vital for all kitchen staff.

A handwashing station is incomplete without its essential components. Staff should never have to search for soap or paper towels, as this creates a barrier to compliance. Always fill and make dispensers easily accessible. Furthermore, hot water is a requirement. Make it a part of your opening procedures to run the taps at each sink to ensure hot water is readily available, especially during colder months when pipes take longer to warm up.

Reinforcing Behavior with Visual Cues

Even the most experienced staff benefit from reminders. Placing a clear, simple handwashing instructional poster within view of every sink serves as a constant reinforcement of proper procedure. This simple tool helps maintain a consistent standard across your entire team, demonstrating a visible commitment to food safety.

Reinforcing the When: Critical Moments for Hand Hygiene

A certified food safety manager must instill in their team not just how to wash their hands, but also when. This requires diligent training and consistent oversight to build reflexive habits in your staff.

From Routine to High-Risk

Handwashing is required at routine intervals, such as before beginning a shift and after eating, smoking, or using the restroom. However, we must be cautious of high-risk tasks. The most critical of these is after handling raw animal proteins. This action must be automatic and immediate to prevent cross-contamination.

The Glove and Handwashing Connection

It’s a common misconception that wearing gloves replaces the need for handwashing. Gloves can be contaminated just like hands. Train staff to wash their hands before putting on new gloves and after taking them off. A change of task, especially from a raw to a ready-to-eat product, requires a glove change and handwashing.

Extending Standards: The Overlooked Guest Restroom

Your commitment to hygiene should not end where the kitchen does. Customer restrooms are a direct reflection of your establishment’s overall standards of cleanliness and safety.

A Reflection of Your Brand

A clean, well-stocked guest restroom conveys to your customers that you value their well-being. This area must have the same essential components as your staff stations: an ample supply of soap, paper towels, and readily available hot water. Failing to address this area can damage your reputation.

Promoting Public Health

While you cannot enforce health guidelines on customers, you can encourage them to follow them. Placing a handwashing poster in the guest restroom can gently promote proper hygiene and help reduce the spread of illness within your community, reinforcing your role as a responsible public establishment.

Ultimately, the diligence you apply to these seemingly small details separates an adequate food safety program from an exceptional one. As a certified food safety manager, your leadership in maintaining every handwashing station and reinforcing proper protocols is crucial to keeping your food, staff, and customers safe.

You can explore our comprehensive certification and renewal courses to ensure your entire team learns these critical food safety basics.

Register for an upcoming course with Safe Food Training today!