The Centers for Disease Control reported in 2011 that eight pathogens account for most illnesses, hospitalizations and even deaths. Restaurant health inspections occur at least twice per year and sometimes four times in a year without announcement to address this issue. Food safety certification programs benefit restaurants in terms of managing food quality. Tips such as keeping meat products on the lowest shelf to protect against the contamination of other food due to fluids from the meat are included with a food handling certificate education program. You will also learn that perishable food should be refrigerated since this slows the growth of bacteria.

Finding a local food and hygiene course or food handling course can benefit your restaurant. You may also want to consider options for earning a food handlers permit online. Upon earning a food protection certificate or some form of food safety certification, you will be eligible to work in a professional kitchen. Without a food handling certificate of some kind, you will probably not be hired by a restaurant or commercial kitchen.

The cost of earning your food handling certificate is easy to manage their online courses. If you prefer to learn on site with an instructor present, a local class can help you earn your certificate. If you operate a professional kitchen, you may want to consider setting up regular classes for all of your new hires to the kitchen staff that will help them maintain their certificate.