Certified Food Safety Manager
Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM) exam is accredited program that conforms to the national standards for organizations that certify individuals as required by the code. At least one employee that has supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service shall be a CFSM who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program. The course provides information on basic food safety, personnel, HACCP principles, facilities and equipment, cleaning and sanitizing, pest control and regulatory inspections.
A list of accredited organizations authorized to administer the test can be found here:
Additional code requirements are as follows:
- A food service establishment will have sixty (60) days from the date of initial permit issuance, change of ownership permit issuance, or termination of employment of its CFSM to employ a new CFSM.
- The CFSM shall have supervisory and management responsibility shall designate someone else to be the person in charge when he is not on the premises.
- The CFSM cannot serve as the CFSM at more than one food facility at the same time.
- The original CFSM certificate shall be posted in public view in each food service establishment. An additional copy shall be retained on file at the food service establishment at all times, and shall be made available for inspection
- Certifications are valid for five years from the date of the exam.
The Department of Environmental Health offers the ServSafe course and food safety in-services to food service establishments. ServSafe (National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation) Exams offered in the following languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and French-Canadian.
The course cost is $150 per person. This cost includes the textbook, instructional materials, and the final exam. The textbook is available for pick-up once you have paid for the course. Complete the registration form and either mail or hand deliver your form and payment to the Division of Environmental Health. Upcoming course dates are provided along with alternative vendors who also provide the food safety certification classes.
Free On-site Training
Food Safety Education Is All About You!!
Did you know that we provide a free on-site training course to food service establishment operators in DeKalb County? These free food safety trainings are tailored to your specific food service operation. The focus is on repetitive risk factor violations that have been cited on your health inspections as well as other reinforcement educational issues. The on-site training allows the health educator to actually see firsthand the operations and employee behaviors so that suggestions may be made regarding how to prevent or avoid future violations. Minimizing the risk factors ultimately should result in lowering the risks of food-borne illness outbreaks and the need to initiate legal action.
In addition, we provide training to civic and community organizations about the importance of food safety at home.
If you are interested in receiving the free on-site training please complete a registration form.
Current Food Safety Topics
- Imminent Health Hazards – Guidelines for food services operators during a power outage or boil water advisory ( English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean ).
- Microwave Cooking! – Tips for safe food preparation in your microwave at home or in your dorm room from the United States Department of Agriculture:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/microwave_ovens_and_food_safety/index.asp - Tailgate Parties– Plan a good defense for safe food at tailgate parties. Barbecue food safety information from the USDA: www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets
- “Food Safety for Moms-to-Be”, a bi-lingual campaign from the Food and Drug Administration:
http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/healtheducators/ucm081785.htm
Food Recalls
- Visit the USDA’S Food Safety and Inspection Service for current recall information:
www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_recalls/index.asp
Additional links about Food Safety:
Food Safety for Schools
- http://www.foodsafeschools.org/
- http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodsafety/index.htm
- http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/
Food Safety for Consumers
- http://www.foodsafety.gov/
- http://www.fightbac.org/
- http://www.fsis.usda.gov/food_Safety_Education/index.asp
- http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/eatingout-safely/eatingout-safely.htm
Educational Materials