When it comes to food preparation, proper hygiene is of the utmost importance. Washing your hands and tools may seem like simple measures, but if we don’t practice these basic hygiene steps, illnesses will spread at a much higher rate than today.

We did not always know the importance of protecting ourselves from bacteria. In some places, people still don’t take personal hygiene seriously when it comes to food. To standardize practices involving food preparation, the government has implemented health codes and inspections that ensure the public is safe from consuming harmful bacteria along with their food.

These regulations state that professional food handlers must be trained in food hygiene techniques and must always implement them when on the job. Many food handlers must attend classes and obtain certification before they are allowed to prepare food.

In some cases, each employee requires certification, while in others, the restaurant as a whole must be certified. Rules regarding certification vary by geographic location.

If you operate a foodservice of some kind, it’s a good idea to call your local board of health and ask about the certifications you need to operate. These calls don’t cause the board of health to inspect your workplace, so don’t worry if you’re making them suspicious.

They are more likely to appreciate that you are trying to do the right thing and to cooperate more with you as time goes on.

Food hygiene certifications require you to take at least one class, or more likely, a series of classes. These classes are generally available at a local university, online, or at a night school.

When trying to decide which classes to take, examine the topics they cover to make sure they match your needs. The rules regarding certifications can vary, even from county to county in some cases. Make sure you understand what is required of you so there is no confusion later.