Massachusetts requires that a food handler and a person in charge, an owner, manager or employee of a food establishment (i.e., restaurants, markets, bakeries, bars, food trucks, commissaries, and food facilities that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food) demonstrate knowledge of food safety as outlined in the FDA Food Code by successfully passing an approved food safety training course, and if needed, become a certified food manager, take an accredited ANSI-CFP 8-hour food safety certification course, and pass an examination.
Food Handlers are required to take a short 2 hour training course and pass an exam. To become a Certified Food Manager, taking an approved Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Training Course and passing an exam is necessary. The Learn2Serve Food Protection Manager Certification is approved by the American National Standards Institute and the Conference for Food Protection (ANSI-CFP). This accredited exam is accepted in all states that have mandatory certification requirements for Food Management Professionals. Local requirements may exceed the state’s minimum requirements.
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On October 1, 2001, the Massachusetts Food Establishment Regulation, 105 CMR 590:003(A)(2) required food establishments to have at least one person-in-charge (PIC) who is a certified food protection manager. This person must be at least eighteen years of age and be a full-time equivalent on-site manager or supervisor. When the certified PIC in unavailable during operating hours, an alternate PIC must be assigned. The alternate PIC does not require certification; however, this person must be knowledgeable in food safety, foodborne illness prevention and corrective actions.
Accredited Massachusetts Certified Food Protection Manager provider: 360training.com. Reference
Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) - Title 105: Department of Public Health - Section 590: State Sanitary Code - Chapter 10: Minimum Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments - 105 CMR 590.003(A)(2) (PDF)
URL: http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/lawlib/104-105cmr/105cmr590.pdf
Massachusetts Food Safety Regulations
URL: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/environmental-health/food-safety/public-health-regulations-food-safety.html
Food Safety Training Required For Managers: Yes
Food Safety Training Required Food Handlers: Yes
Food Manager Certification Exam Required: Yes
Re-Training Frequency: Every 5 years
Re-Certification Exam: Every 5 years
Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services
Food Protection Program
305 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: (617) 983-6700
Web: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/environmental-health/food-safety/
Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge, New Bedford, Brockton, Quincy, Lynn, Fall River, Newton, Lawrence, Somerville, Framingham, Haverhill, Waltham, Malden, Brookline, Medford, Taunton, Chicopee, Weymouth Town, Revere, Peabody, Methuen Town, Barnstable Town, Pittsfield, Attleboro, Arlington, Salem, Everett, Westfield, Leominster, Fitchburg, Holyoke, Beverly, Marlborough, Woburn, Braintree Town, Chelsea, Randolph, Watertown Town, Franklin Town, Lexington.
Local Requirements: City of Boston has Certified Food Service Manager requirements.
City of Boston
The Boston Inspectional Services Department
Division of Health Inspections
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Fourth Floor
Roxbury, MA 02118
http://www.cityofboston.gov/isd/health/fmcert.asp
Massachusetts Food Safety Additional Information/Requirements
Massachusetts Food Protection Manager (FAQs):
URL: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/environmental-health/food-safety/retail-food/policies/management-and-personnel-faqs.html
1. Does a certified food protection manager need to be present at an establishment during all hours of operations?
No. Section 590.003(A)(2) requires that each food establishment employ at least ONE certified food protection manager.
The certified food protection manager must be a full-time equivalent, on-site employee, who is at least 18 years of age.
The certified food protection manager must have passed one of the four exams recognized by the Department.
The certified food protection manager must be someone who is directly responsible for overseeing the daily preparation of food and the routine operation of the establishment.
When the certified food protection manager is not present at the establishment, another employee must be designated to be the person in charge. The designated person in charge does not need to be certified, but must be trained by the certified food protection manager in food safety and foodborne illness prevention and have the authority to initiate necessary corrective actions.
All food establishments must have a designated person in charge present during all hours of operation.
2. Are group homes required to have a certified food protection manager on staff?
Group homes are operated by a variety of public and private agencies. Group homes vary in size from five to thirty-five residents, but an important element of such a facility is its home-like atmosphere. Group homes may or may not be licensed by local boards of health. For those that are licensed, a certified food protection manager may be required.
If the residents cook meals for themselves (as a group or as individuals), a certified food protection manager is NOT required.
If, however, staff is hired to cook meals for the residents, or if staff duties include meal preparation, then at least one staff person must be certified.
3. Does the alternate person in charge need to be a certified food protection manager?
No, the alternate person in charge is not required to be a certified food protection manager. Each establishment is required to employ at least one full-time equivalent certified food protection manager. When the certified person is not present at the establishment, another employee must be designated to be the person in charge. The designated person in charge does not need to be certified, but must be knowledgeable of food safety and have the authority to initiate necessary corrective actions.
4. Must establishments notify the local board of health when a certified person in charge is terminated?
The local board of health must be notified only if the establishment does not have another certified person in charge, or are unable to immediately replace the certified person. If at least one full-time equivalent certified person in charge is employed on-site, the local board of health does not need to be notified.
5. May translators be used during the certified food protection manager exam?
The Department does not take a position on the use of translators during examinations. The use of translators is at the discretion of the exam companies and training instructors.
6. What happens to a person in charge who has failed the food protection manager exam because of a language barrier?
If a person in charge has failed the food protection manager exam twice and has taken training, the establishment may apply for a variance from the local board of health to be exempt from the certification requirement, as stated in 105 CMR 590.003(5). The Department fully supports the issuance of such a variance for establishments that are in compliance with the other provisions of 590.000.
7. Are food manager certification examinations available in different languages?
Yes, food manager certification exams are available in English and Spanish.
8. Are food manager certification examinations in different languages acceptable in Massachusetts?
Yes, food manager certification examinations from one of the four recognized exam companies are acceptable regardless of the language of the exam.
9. What is the definition of “snacks” as it pertains to the certification exemption for daycare operations which serve only snacks, 105 CMR 590.003(A)(3)(b)?
Snacks include any of the foods listed in the definition of Continental Breakfast (105 CMR590.002) as well as any non-potentially hazardous foods and pre-packaged foods that do not require preparation.
Course Description
Most people working in restaurants, on a mobile food truck, caterers, and non-restaurant facilities need food safety training or a food handlers card. To get that card, food handling and serving personnel should complete food handling training. After completing the course, they have to present the food handlers certificate to their local authority and pay the required registration fees.
Food Handler Training is often intended for entry-level professionals in the food service industry, such as servers, chefs, cooks, cashiers, food truck workers, mobile food vendors, caterers, and even convenient store (c-store) clerks. The Food Handler Certificate will require the learner to complete a brief 2-hour training course covering basic food safety principles. At the conclusion of the course, the learner will be tested on their knowledge of the content and learning outcomes. Upon successfully passing the exam, the learner will be issued a Food Handler’s Certificate document (or card).
The Learn2Serve.com ANSI Certified Food Handler course will discuss various food safety issues, regulations, and techniques to maintain a food-safe environment. It will help you to better understand how handling food correctly is not only the law, but it improves safety and reduces risks.
Credit Hours: 2 hrs
Cost: $7.00
Course Outline
At the conclusion of the ANSI Certified Food Handler Certificate program, you should be able to:
Upon successful completion of the course and the exam, you will earn your food handler certificate of completion from your training page.
Food Manager Training Course
The Food Safety Manager Principles Course provides a foundational knowledge of the FDA Food Code and covers foodborne hazards and pathogens, cross contamination, proper preparation and temperature controls, proper hygiene, proper cleaning and sanitation methods, regulations, and the proper techniques to maintain a food-safe environment.
Audience: Experienced professionals in the food service industry, such as owner, manager, person-in-charge (PIC), chef, cook, or any employee.
Course Outline
ANSI Certification Exam
To be certified as a food manager, the individual must pass an accredited food safety examination - administered by a certification provider.
The Learn2Serve Food Protection Manager Certification is approved by the American National Standards Institute and the Conference for Food Protection (ANSI-CFP). With the exception of Connecticut, this accredited exam is accepted in all states/jurisdictions that have mandatory certification requirements for Food Management Professionals.
Reference: ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
Help with Exam
We have partnered with PSI - a global testing, certification, and licensing provider. The exam is proctored at a PSI test center location.
After purchasing the exam, you should receive an email from PSI instructing you how to schedule your exam. If you do not receive this email, please contact support at 877.881.2235.
You can also click here to schedule exam online at a testing center near you.
Upon successful completion of the exam with a passing score, you may download and print a proof of completion document. The official certificate will be mailed within 15 business days of completing the exam.
Your employer might ask you to take a ServSafe course to be food safety training qualified. This is simply a food safety training course brand name.
Our Learn2Serve food safety training courses are the same thing as ServSafe and our Certified Food Manager Exam is ANSI-CFP approved and approved for all states.
Accreditation Reference
American National Standards Institute and the Conference for Food Protection (ANSI-CFP) Accreditation Program
Food Protection Manager Certification Program
Company: 360training.com, Inc.
Accreditation ID: 0975
Website: ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
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