[MR] cheap/free food handling certification site

[Karen Summerfelt-Hume]

Based on the various events I've organized in Maryland the whole aspect of
permits, certification and such seem to fall primarily - though not
completely - in the realm of the site and/ or the county the site is in.  In
most of the cases where some sort of permit is required, we've had to send
someone to the county office to sit through a class - what they call the
"George the Germ" movie and talk.  In other counties we've only needed to
get a "temporary food permit" for a one day event.  No test, no fee, no
certificate.  Only once have we actually had an inspector come and go
through the kitchen while we were cooking.  We passed with flying colors.
So the best bet is to ask the site what they require - it's usually in the
contract anyway - and follow whatever proceedure is needed.  It's generally
pretty simple and basic common sense.  The folks who really have to jump
through hoops are the licensed caterers and restaurants and we don't fall
into that category.  I do vaguely recall that one site in Virginia did
require a certified food handler to be on site and in the kitchen -
Virginia, I think - and we had such a person so the issue was moot.  In that
case the food handler had to have State certification which is a whole
different level of tests, education and such.  That lady works at a federal
food facility, thus she's gathered as many state certifications as possible.

This will make you roll your eyes - Cecil County Maryland's number one
concern for one day food permits.....You may not serve Road Kill!  It is
actually specified in their rules. They actually had a major case against a
vendor years ago.  His burgers were made of    "assorted, uncertified or
inspected meats that could not be identified as what was advertised."
Somebody ratted on him - he was collecting road kill and processing it into
hamburger.

Safe food handling isn't all that difficult.  There are lots of good
guidelines available.  The trick is to actually follow them!


Chagan


On Mon, Jul 19, 2010 at 2:02 PM, logan <logan at ebonwoulfe.com> wrote:

> ahhh, gotcha.  my brain saw "certification" and read "permit".  still, i
> would check with your local health department to see if they even recognize
> these things before spending the money.  i am curious though and might take
> one myself just to see the questions.
>
> regards
> logan
>
> "I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was
> hell."
> Harry S Truman
> "If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his
> vengeance need not be feared"
> Niccolo Machiavelli
> For your armouring needs please visit:
> www.ebonwoulfe.com/armory.htm
>
> www.ebonwoulfe.com
>
> For worldwide listings of fighter practices please visit:
> www.fighterpractice.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alric [mailto:alric at alricthemad.com]
> Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 1:53 PM
> To: logan
> Cc: 'sca atlantia'
> Subject: Re: [MR] cheap/free food handling certification site
>
> Your Grace,
> I believe the difference between a permit (as you indicated, issued by
> the local health department) and the food handler certification is;
> Certification = 'I have taken the class and proved I understand the
> material'
> Permit = Health Dept has looked over your operation and deemed it safe
> (as of issuance of the permit), follow up inspections required.
>
> I believe some health department rules require a certified food handler
> for an event or location to obtain a permit.
>
> I imagine the original post was for folks to have an opportunity to
> learn about safe food handling for a gathering and even to benefit their
> camps at Pennsic.
>
> YIS
> Alric
> > food handling permits are issued by some states but mostly are handled
> > through city/county/municipality health departments.  there is a big
> > difference between a legit, government issued, food handlers permit and
> an
> > "online food handlers permit".  the main difference is that one is
> > recognized by the state/city/county health inspector and one isnt.  ;^)
> >
> > regards
> > logan
> >
> > "I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it
> was
> > hell."
> > Harry S Truman
> > "If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his
> > vengeance need not be feared"
> > Niccolo Machiavelli
> > For your armouring needs please visit:
> > www.ebonwoulfe.com/armory.htm
> >
> > www.ebonwoulfe.com
> >
> > For worldwide listings of fighter practices please visit:
> > www.fighterpractice.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> > [mailto:atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Gwyn
> > Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 12:42 PM
> > To: sca atlantia
> > Subject: [MR] cheap/free food handling certification site
> >
> > As Baronial chirurgeon for the Barony of Sacred Stone, I have seen some
> > pretty poor food handling practices at events and even Pennsic War over
> the
> > years.  Having feast cratted at outdoor events and outdoor kitchens, I
> know
> > it's hard to be perfect, but I think that everyone who feastcrats and is
> a
> > chirurgeon should have a basic knowlege of food safety. So I found this
> > site: http://www.efoodhandlers.com/CourseMain.aspx
> > they advertise that they offer fda compliant certifications per state for
> > only $10.00 and you can take the class and take the test for FREE!  My
> > favorite word. You only pay the $10.00 if you want to print out the
> > certificate.  You can also print out a wallet card and ID badge and even
> > upload your photo for the same ten bucks. can't beat that. so take a few
> > minutes, read the course, take the test and be up to date on safety.
> >
> >
> >
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