Food workers receive certificates

35 food workers in County Roscommon were presented with Food Hygeine Certificates at a function in the HSE offices at Abbey Street, Roscommon on Monday last. The food safety training course undertaken by food workers is a primary course in food hygiene developed by the Environmental Health Officers Association (EHOA). The aim of the course is to create awareness and knowledge among food workers on the importance of good food hygiene practices. Gerry Leen, Acting Principal Environmental Health Officer, HSE West, upon presenting the certificates, said, ‘This is a great achievement for all the food workers involved and will create an awareness and knowledge of the critical importance of food safety and good food hygiene practices. This training course also serves to benefit the consumer. Fully trained and skilled food workers preparing food leads to greater confidence in the food sector.’ The course covers a broad range of topics, including an overview of basic microbiology, food contamination, food hygiene law, personal hygiene, cleaning procedures and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. These subjects are focused on enabling food workers to understand where problems could arise in the preparation, handling, storage or service of food. These problems could, if uncontrolled, create a risk of food poisoning to the consumer and subsequent damage to the food business. The course tutors were: Colette McDermott, Claire Brennan, Denise Cafferkey, John Keenehan, Joan Walsh, and Damien Woods, Environmental Health Officers, HSE West, Roscommon.