Tag: MN CFPM Training

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Steps to Becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager

Becoming Certified Food Protection Manager

According to the Minnesota Food Code, all facilities that prepare food for the public must employ a certified food protection manager (CFPM). The role of any CFPM in Minnesota is to ensure that all food is being stored, prepared and served in a safe manner. They are required to train staff, inspect their facility for safety hazards and correct procedures as necessary to keep food safe. How does one become a certified food protection manager? This week, we’ll clearly outline all the steps for becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager in Minnesota.

Becoming Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager Registration

The first step to becoming a CFPM in Minnesota is taking a qualifying food safety course and passing the exam. There are a few ways this can be done:

  • Instructor-led training
  • Online courses
  • Group training at your facility
  • Customized classes

There are benefits to each of these options, and there’s enough flexibility to choose which course works best for you and your business. Instructor-led training offers the opportunity to delve deeper into food safety topics and ask questions, while online food safety certification courses can be taken at your leisure. If the standard training at an offsite location isn’t convenient, and you’d prefer a real-life food safety expert over an online course, Safe Food Training can come to you and offer group training or customized training that fits your specific needs.

So you’ve passed your food safety training course exam. Congratulations! Does that mean you’re ready to go and officially a Minnesota CFPM? Not quite yet. Just passing the exam doesn’t officially make you a certified food protection manager in Minnesota. There’s one more step, and fortunately it’s an easy one. After passing your food safety certification exam, you must fill out an application in order to register with the state.

To find information concerning current fees and the appropriate mailing address to submit an application, the Minnesota Department of Health CFPM website will have the most up-to-date information.

Do you need assistance with training options? At Safe Food Training, we can provide the perfect food safety training course for your needs.

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What is ServSafe Certification?

ServSafe Certification

According to the Minnesota Food code, food preparation establishments must employ a Certified Food Protection Manager that has gained certification from an ANSI accredited program. The National Restaurant Association recognizes ServSafe Certification as its accredited program qualifying it to be used by food protection managers in Minnesota.

ServSafe Certification
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MN ServSafe Certification

ServSafe offers several food and alcohol safety certifications, and passing the ServSafe food manager exam meets the Minnesota Food Code’s requirements for certified food protection manager training. Minnesota also recognizes 3 other exams as meeting the requirement including the one from the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals which we regularly use.

As with many training courses, ServSafe is available via instructor led sessions and online training classes. There are positives with each type of training. Online classes can be convenient and taken at any time of day. Instructor led classes allow for interaction with your fellow food managers and give you a rare opportunity to ask questions and discuss food safety procedures with an experienced expert.

ServSafe and the other exams enable you to get certified in Minnesota for three years. Within three years, you must renew your certifications in order to comply with the food code. The health department no longer has a grace period for renewing, so it’s vitally important to stay up to date on your paperwork and take your recertification training without delay before the three year anniversary of initial certification.

While there are four exam options for food safety certification in MN, some national chains and organizations may require ServSafe as their standard for food managers in their employ. If this is the case, Safe Food Training will gladly custom design ServSafe training and examinations that meet Minnesota standards. If you’re looking for your initial certification, refresher courses or recertification instruction, get in touch with us and we’ll set up training that fits your establishment’s requirements.