DHSS Press Release

TRAINED MANAGERS = SAFER FOOD

SEPTEMBER IS FOOD SAFETY MONTH

DOVER, DE (Sept. 19, 2016) - As part of Food Safety Month in September, the Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) and Division of Public Health (DPH) are highlighting new opportunities for Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) courses. Most food establishments must have a CFPM, except for temporary food establishments like fairs and festivals, and those operated by nonprofit organizations, such as fire companies and churches that are categorized as very low risk.

In honor of Food Safety Month, the Delaware Restaurant Association is expanding its offerings. Visit http://www.delawarerestaurant.org/calendar/ for a list of course dates and times or contact the DRA at 866-DRA-2545 to schedule training. The classes will be offered in New Castle and Sussex counties in September 2016. For a listing of all the food manager courses accepted by DPH, visit http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/files/ofpcfpm.pdf.

The course is one full day and includes a course book, examination, and certification upon successful completion.

As of May 11, 2014, the State of Delaware Food Code requires that the Person-in-Charge (PIC) at the time of inspection must be a Certified Food Protection Manager. On April 1, 2016, full enforcement of this regulation became a part of DPH routine, unannounced inspections. Establishments may be inspected once, twice, or three times a year, based on their levels of risk. Since permitted establishments are required to have a Person-in-Charge at all times, food establishments should have a CFPM on site at all times.

DPH has implemented the food manager certification requirement in order to protect public health and prevent foodborne illness. Serious foodborne illnesses can lead to missed work or school, or require a doctor's visit and sometimes even hospitalization. The food protection manager requirement helps ensure that the PIC at a food establishment has knowledge of food safety. The CFPM is also expected to take steps to prevent the spread of foodborne disease through active managerial control of risk factors that could contribute to a foodborne illness.

The CFPM is responsible for monitoring and managing all food establishment operations, ensuring the facility is operating in compliance with the State of Delaware Food Code. He or she must be knowledgeable about foodborne illness symptoms, how to minimize risk factors, and how make corrective actions if necessary.

To become a Certified Food Protection Manager, the food employee must be certified by a program that is evaluated and listed by a Conference for Food Protection-recognized accrediting agency.

The Division of Public Health's Office of Food Protection works to ensure the safety of food provided to consumers in food establishments in Delaware. DPH staff works with food establishments throughout Delaware to protect consumers and monitor compliance of the establishments with the Delaware Food Code. The Public Health offices accomplish their mission through permitting and inspecting of restaurants, mobile units, and other food establishments; educating owners, managers, and employees on food safety issues in their establishments; informing consumers on food safety; and holding activities to increase food safety in Delaware establishments.

Information on risk levels and variances from the CFPM requirements can be found on the OFP web page: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/ofpcfpm.html

For more information on Certified Food Protection Manager Requirements in Delaware, visit http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/ofpcfpm.html. For more information on food safety, visit www.foodsafety.gov/ or www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/foodsafety.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.