What safety training is required for new food service employees?

Basic food safety principles form the foundation of a safe and healthy food service operation. New food service employees must be trained in these principles to understand how to prevent foodborne illnesses, ensure proper food handling, maintain cleanliness, and comply with health regulations. This training covers essential topics such as proper cooking temperatures, the importance of hand washing, cross-contamination prevention, and food storage guidelines.

While other areas like cash register operation, advanced cooking techniques, and customer service relations are also important for a food service worker, they do not address the critical aspects of food safety that directly impact public health. Without a strong understanding of basic food safety principles, even well-trained employees in other areas could inadvertently contribute to food safety violations, which can have serious consequences for customers and businesses. Hence, the emphasis on basic food safety principles is essential for new hires in food service.