The Consumer Health Division provides education to retail food establishments within its service area.  Our  Basic Food  Handlers' Program is designed to train food operators in safe operation and food preparation practices.   This program is offered free of charge to food establishments licensed and inspected by Somerset County Department of Health. 

The Basic Food Handlers' Program  focuses on the food safety areas that are most likely to cause food borne illness , including:  

  • Handwashing,
  • Employee Illness
  • Food Handling Techniques - Proper Glove Use
  • Utensil Sanitizing - Manual and Mechanical
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Thermometers
  • Cooking Temperatures
  • Reheating
  • Hot and Cold Holding
  • Cooling
  • Date Marking
  • Safe Handling of Raw Animal Foods
  • Safe Storage of Raw Animal Foods
  • Cleaning and Sanitizing of Food Contact Surfaces
  • Foodborne Illness

If you are interested in taking advantage of this training, please contact Health Educator Michéle Samarya-Timm at samaryatimm@co.somerset.nj.us