3 Things you need to know about Food Handler Training in NM
- Post the State Training Requirement on food handler cards in a place where all employees have access. Access a copy of the poster here by emailing us. You might even create an incentive to get your employees trained. Training costs you, the employer, nothing. The burden is on the employee to get Food Handler Card by March 1, 2017. We suggest you incentivize your employees by telling them that for one month you will pay $10.00 toward certification when they bring their Food Handler Card to you. After that one month. They have to pay for the class themselves. We have statewide training and online training to help you and your employees get the training before March 2017.
- Update your personnel policies to reflect the requirement of employment to get a food handler card within 30 days of employment. In anticipation of this new state requirement, food employers need to amend their existing policies and procedures, including their employee handbook.
- Request your Sample policy here (members only). We also have a complete, editable employee handbook available for members of NMRA. (a $750 value)
- Keep a file of all your employees and their food handler cards or certifications. Unlike the Alcohol Server Certification, a file copy will suffice for the regulatory agency (your staff does not have to have the card available on their person) and all employee cards in one file would be helpful for inspectors to determine your compliance. Food employers are encouraged to include a written acknowledgement of the Food Handler Card Policy in their hiring process. The acknowledgement should also be completed by their current food employees. The acknowledgement should be signed and dated by each food employee and kept on file in the food employer’s records.
- Here’s a bonus item of a 4th thing you need to know! You have one year to put the raw food warning* on your menu:
*Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk for foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
NMRA and our legal counsel spoke with representatives from the Workforce Solutions Department on how they will interpret the Food Handler Card and Management certification requirements as it pertains to paying for employee’s time and education. It was determined that, a. Attendance is outside of the employee’s regular working hours; b. Attendance is in fact voluntary; c. The course, lecture, or meeting is not directly related to the employee’s job; and d. The employee does not perform any productive work during such attendance. The card or certification stays with the employee and mandate is from the state not the employer. Therefore it is the responsibility of the employee to obtain the card or certification on their own time and at their own expense.
