Business Briefs

Certification Requirement for Food Businesses

In 1997, Mississippi implemented a law requiring food service establishments to have at least one person certified in food safety. Basically, any food business that is required to be permitted by the Mississippi State Department of Health must also meet the food safety certification requirement. Food service businesses that prepare and serve food such as restaurants, caterers, daycares, delis (including delis in grocery stores), hospitals, nursing homes, most bed & breakfasts, casinos, gas stations, and cafeterias, are examples of the types of businesses that must meet the food safety certification requirement. For further information regarding your business, contact your local environmentalist.

In an effort to assist food service businesses in meeting the certification requirements, the Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering the National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Program. ServSafe is one of the recognized certification programs. To obtain certification from the ServSafe program, participants must complete 16 hours of training and pass a nationally standardized test. The certification permit belongs to the person who satisfactorily completes the training and not the establishment, and is valid for five years.

The ServSafe training is being taught throughout the state by Extension Home Economists who have met the requirements established by the National Restaurant Association. Every county in Mississippi is covered by the training offered through the Extension Service. For additional information regarding the ServSafe program, contact your county Extension office.

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