Who Needs Texas Food Handler Certification

📜 Texas Food Handler Certification Requirements

✅ Required Food Handler Training in Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) requires food employees to complete approved food safety training under the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) §228.31.

Under this requirement:

“All food employees shall successfully complete an accredited food handler training course within 30 days of employment.”

Food establishments are responsible for ensuring that applicable food employees complete the required training within the required timeframe to support compliance with Texas food safety regulations.

⏰ Training Deadline

Food employees must successfully complete an accredited food handler training course:

📅 Within 30 Days of Employment

Newly hired food employees should complete the required training as soon as possible to ensure they understand safe food handling practices and meet Texas regulatory requirements.

👥 Who Is Considered a Food Employee?

Under the FDA Food Code, 1-2 Definitions, a Food Employee is an individual working with:

🍽️ Unpackaged food
🛠️ Food equipment or utensils
🔄 Food-contact surfaces

A food employee may perform duties involving food preparation, handling, serving, storage, or other activities that directly or indirectly impact food safety.

Examples may include:

👨‍🍳 Cooks and kitchen staff
🍽️ Servers and food service employees who handle unpackaged food or food-contact items
🧼 Dishwashers who handle food equipment or utensils
🥤 Employees involved in food preparation or service activities
🏪 Other employees performing food-related duties

📘 Texas Food Handler Training Course

The Alcohol & Food Safety Institute (AFSI) Texas Food Handler Certification Course is an accredited food handler training course designed to meet Texas food safety training requirements.

Our course provides food employees with the essential knowledge and skills needed to safely handle food, prevent contamination, and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

The course is approximately:

⭐ 90 Minutes in Length

Upon successful completion of the course, employees receive a Texas Food Handler Certificate that is:

⏳ Valid for Two (2) Years

🏆 Training Approval & Certification

Food handler training must be completed through an accredited food handler training program recognized by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or an approved local regulatory authority.

The Alcohol & Food Safety Institute (AFSI) provides an accredited food handler training course designed to provide employees with the food safety knowledge required to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Successful completion provides employees with documentation demonstrating that they have completed the required food safety training.

🛡️ What You Will Learn

The AFSI Texas Food Handler Certification Course covers essential food safety practices, including:

✅ Personal Hygiene

Proper handwashing, employee cleanliness, and behaviors that help prevent food contamination.

✅ Preventing Cross-Contamination

How to prevent harmful bacteria, allergens, and other contaminants from spreading to food.

✅ Safe Food Temperatures

Understanding temperature control, time-temperature abuse, and safe food handling practices.

✅ Food Storage & Handling

Proper receiving, storage, rotation, thawing, and preparation procedures.

✅ Cleaning & Sanitizing

Understanding the difference between cleaning and sanitizing and how to properly maintain food-contact surfaces.

✅ Employee Health Responsibilities

Recognizing when illness may impact food safety and understanding employee reporting responsibilities.

✅ Preventing Foodborne Illness

Understanding how unsafe food practices can lead to foodborne illness and how proper procedures help protect customers.

🌟 Why Food Handler Training Matters

Proper food safety training protects:

👥 Customers — by reducing the risk of foodborne illness
🏢 Food Establishments — by supporting compliance with Texas food safety requirements
👨‍🍳 Food Employees — by providing the knowledge needed to safely perform their job duties

Well-trained food employees are one of the most important steps in maintaining a safe food service operation and protecting public health.

📋 Texas Food Handler Compliance Summary