Food Safety

We provide educational resources and materials, including online certifications for Texas food handlers, to help both consumers and professionals follow the most up-to-date food safety best practices. Common topics include safe food handling, preparation, cooking, serving and storing.

Related Departments: Food Science & Technology, Nutrition

 

 

 

food thermometer in a pan of meat

Food Safety Education Program

The Food Safety Education Program aims to increase safe food handling practices at retail and consumer levels to reduce risk of food-borne illness.

Learn About
Food Safety

Publications

Publication

This publication is for food managers in the food-service industry to learn proper food safety practices.

Publication

This publication is for food managers in the food-service industry to learn proper food safety practices.

Esta publicación está destinada a que los administradores de alimentos de la industria de servicios de alimentos aprendan las prácticas adecuadas de seguridad alimentaria.

Publication

The purpose of this handbook is to enhance learning activities related to the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of dairy foods.

Programs

We offer numerous free and affordable programs on agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, economic health and youth development. We also offer many volunteer opportunities. Browse the list below.
Program

These proven beef quality practices are simply better methods of doing the same jobs you’re already doing.

Program

The Texas 4-H Family & Community Health Program provides a variety of resources and opportunities to learn about nutrition, interior design, consumer education and more.

Program

Better Living for Texans program provides research and evidence-based nutrition, health and wellness knowledge to empower individuals, families, and communities to make positive changes for healthier lives.

Courses

Course

This food handlers certification course, accredited with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), will allow food service employees, cottage food business operators, or others to meet the requirement of having a food handler or food safety course. Participants will learn basic food safety practices for the preparation of food and can print a food handlers card.

Course

Working in a child care setting can be such a rewarding, yet difficult job. Learn how to properly handle breast milk, formula, and other foods to help prevent food-borne illness in this course. Food safety preventative measures will be discussed to help ensure you have a safe environment for babies and children.

Course

This course meets the training requirement related to animal food hygiene and food safety and address the following: FSMA requirements including training and documentation; Importance of employee health and personal hygiene; and Responsibilities of supervisors, management and employees involved feed manufacturing.

All Resources on Food Safety

  • Course

    This food handler course in Spanish, accredited with the Texas Department of State Health Services, will allow food service employees, cottage food business operators, or others to meet the requirement of having a food handler or food safety course. Participants will learn basic food safety practices for the preparation of food.

  • Course

    This course is designed to educate people who want to start a cottage food production operation out of their residence in Texas. Through this course, individuals will gain knowledge of the Texas Cottage Food Law and general rules and best practices for preparing food safely.

  • Course

    Food safety is just as important during special activities as it is at home or in the lunchroom. This online course helps teachers understand the importance of food safety during events that are not regular occurrences.

  • Course

    Interested in selling food at a Texas farmers’ market? Need to know what permits are required? This one hour online course provides valuable information for potential vendors about the rules and regulations of Texas farmers’ markets.

  • Course

    Research shows that implementing policies can help promote behavior change. This one-hour course will walk learners through the steps of policy development, implementation and evaluation.

  • Publication

    The purpose of this handbook is to enhance learning activities related to the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of dairy foods.

  • Publication

    This 2-page fact sheet discusses what Texas rice farmers need to know about rice kernel smut, such as symptoms and management methods.

  • Course

    Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are intended to help prevent microbial, chemical and physical contamination of fresh produce at the farm level up to and including harvest. By adopting and implementing GAPs, you can identify the areas of highest risk and then start practices to prevent contamination from occurring.

  • Publication

    This 7-page fact sheet discusses the various causes of cork taint in wine and ways to prevent contamination.

  • Publication

    View illustrations of quality grades of slaughter steers (USDA).

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