State Requirements

Georgia Food Safety: What Training or Certification Do I Need?

Posted by
Trust20 Contributors • 4 minute read
Share:

Peach cobbler, fried green tomatoes, and pecan pie are staples in Georgia’s food scene. However, customers would not be able to enjoy these mouthwatering delights if the foodservice industry didn’t first prioritize food safety.

The Georgia Department of Public Health's top concern is ensuring every dish is free from foodborne pathogens.1 Drawing on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) guidelines, Georgia puts the responsibility of food safety in the hands of managers.

In this blog, we’ll cover all you need to know for a successful career in Georgia’s foodservice industry, including: 

Which version of the FDA Food Code does Georgia use?

Does Georgia require a food handler card?

Does Georgia require allergen awareness training?

Does Georgia require food manager certification?

Looking to your local health department

Which version of the FDA Food Code does Georgia use?

The FDA Food Code provides food safety recommendations for the entire country, and local health departments can adopt these recommendations as is or adjust them as necessary. 

As food safety science evolves, so does the FDA Food Code. The FDA publishes updates every two years and released the most recent edition in 2022. However, Georgia has adopted the 2017 version.2

The 2017 FDA Food Code:

  • Mentions food handlers but does not mandate food handler training; 

  • Describes food allergen awareness to mean that a person in charge must be aware of their risks and be ready to discuss them in inspections; and

  • Recommends a person in charge pass an exam to become a certified food protection manager (CFPM).

Read on to learn how the Georgia Department of Public Health uses these recommendations.

Does Georgia require a food handler card?

No, food handler cards or certificates are not required in Georgia. However, some businesses may require food handler training as a part of the hiring process–and taking an online food handler course could help your resume stand out and land you an interview.

Does Georgia require allergen awareness training?

No, formal food allergen awareness training is not required in Georgia. 

However, a person in charge on each shift must be able to demonstrate allergen awareness during an inspection, and an establishment's certified food safety manager is responsible for properly training staff in food allergy awareness.3 

Does Georgia require food manager certification?

Yes! In Georgia, a person in charge who has passed an exam from an accredited program is known as a certified food safety manager (CFSM). Every establishment must have one CFSM on staff. 

Certified food safety managers are responsible for supervising staff who are handling food, training staff in safe food handling practices, communicating with health officials, and, when necessary, requesting formal staff training (from providers such as Trust20’s for Teams).3

There are three types of establishments where a CFSM is not required:  

  1. Mobile food services
  2. Establishments that serve non-TCS foods; and 
  3. Temporary food establishments.

A CFSM typically must renew their credentials by taking a new exam every five years.

Look to your local health department

Counties have the final say regarding food safety training, certification, and regulations in Georgia. Since there are 159 counties divided into 18 separate public health districts in the state, it is always a good idea to confirm the requirements of your local jurisdiction.4,5

The takeaway

Certified food safety managers lead the charge against foodborne illnesses in Georgia foodservice establishments. Their leadership is critical to ensuring food handlers follow food safety best practices, and CFSMs can help prevent foodborne illness outbreaks by taking this responsibility seriously. If you want to stay on top of the latest guidelines, renew your credentials, or train your team, look no further than Trust20’s ANAB-accredited products. Prioritizing food safety will have lasting effects on your customers and your establishment! 


Sources:

  1. Georgia Department of Public Health: Environmental Health

  2. FDA: 2017 Food Code

  3. Georgia's Food Service Rules and Regulations: Chapter 511-6-1

  4. Georgia: County Health Departments

  5. Georgia: District Office Directory

Recommended Articles
Is Trust20 Legit? Food Handler Training, Manager Certification, and More
Is Trust20 Legit? Food Handler Training, Manager Certification, and More
Food safety should not be a gamble; it should be a guarantee. Foodborne illnesses not only have dire consequences for customers, but they can also severely impact an establishment's reputation and bottom line.
Continue Reading
You Need to Know: Temperature Danger Zone
You Need to Know: Temperature Danger Zone
There is one tried and true principle in food handler safety: keep hot food hot, and cold food cold. This is the best way for foodservice workers to keep food out of the "Danger Zone," or the temperature range where bacteria can grow at an alarming rate.
Continue Reading
Food Safety Management: How to Audit Your Establishment's Hygiene Protocols
Food Safety Management: How to Audit Your Establishment's Hygiene Protocols
Every foodservice establishment is required to have hygiene protocols in place to ensure cleanliness is a top priority in the daily operations of each business. The safety and health of staff and customers are key in any food business. Best practices are essential for maintaining a clean establishment. Best practices can also reduce the potential of cross-contamination while ensuring your business is in line with food safety regulations, which are overseen by international organizations, federal agencies, and local health departments such as the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS). To ensure your establishment’s hygiene protocols meet current regulations and the most current methodology, it’s essential to audit best practices on a regular basis. The food industry is constantly evolving, and regular hygiene practice audits will help keep you and your establishment compliant with current standards. Below, we’ll cover: Why should I regularly review my establishment’s existing hygiene protocols? How frequently should hygiene protocols be reviewed for food safety? What areas of foodservice hygiene practices should I review on a regular basis? What steps should I take when reviewing hygiene protocols?
Continue Reading
Protect Food Safety: How to Create Hygiene Protocols and Best Practices
Protect Food Safety: How to Create Hygiene Protocols and Best Practices
Your hygiene protocols are essential to preventing a foodborne illness outbreak at your establishment–not to mention the long-term success of your business. Every operator and manager who oversees a foodservice business should create standard hygiene practices and expect their entire team to consistently and carefully adhere to them. These protocols cover a range of activities, including cleaning, sanitization, and personal hygiene. Other basic habits and routines like handwashing, sanitizing food prep surfaces, and regular facility cleaning help you and your team maintain a safe food environment, reduce food safety incidents, and comply with relevant laws and regulations. Understanding why and how to implement structured safe food handling practices in your establishment will make protecting your customers second-nature, so you can focus on providing an exceptional experience for everyone who walks in your door. Keep reading to learn more about hygiene protocol, including: What are hygiene protocols? Why are hygiene protocols important to the food industry? What best practices should my hygiene protocols include? How do I create a hygiene protocol plan?
Continue Reading