Category: News || By Submitted Report

Allegheny County Health Department today announced its upcoming schedule of food protection certification courses for food industry workers.

The two-day course will be offered on May 3 and 10 at UPMC McKeesport Hospital, a spokeswoman said.

Sessions also will be available March 4 and 11 at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh's Friendship neighborhood; March 18 and 25 at St. Valentine's Church, Bethel Park; and April 8 and 15 at the Club at Nevillewood in Collier Twp.

The course teaches the importance of food safety along with techniques designed to prevent food contamination and outbreaks of food poisoning. The Health Department requires facilities that prepare foods to have at least one certified worker on site during operating hours.

The fee is $60 for anyone who lives or works in Allegheny County. Non-residents pay $75. A three-year certification is awarded to those who complete the course and pass the exam.

A one-day refresher class for workers whose certification has expired will be offered on Feb. 25 at Wildwood Golf Club in Hampton Twp. and on April 2 at the Double Tree Hotel in Green Tree. The fee for the recertification course, including the exam, is $55 for people living or working in the county and $70 for non-residents.

A certification challenge exam, with no instruction, will be given from 2 to 3 p.m. on March 6 and 20, April 3 and 17, May 1, 15 and 29, and June 5 at the Health Department's Food Safety Division in Lawrenceville. The one-hour exam is for people who already have had food safety training. The cost is $40 for county residents and $55 for others.

Discounted culinary student fees of $40 for county residents and $55 for non-residents are available for the certification course and refresher class.

For more information, please call the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-ACHD (2243) or visit its web site at www.achd.net.

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