From restaurants and food vendors to homemade food businesses, safe food handling helps protect the community from foodborne illness. This September, Sacramento County’s Environmental Management Department (EMD) is highlighting the importance of food safety education with free classes for local food operators and employees.
Upcoming Free Food Safety Education Classes
EMD will offer free food safety education classes for food facility operators and employees. Topics include time and temperature relationships, employee health and hygiene, protection from contamination, active managerial control and facility sanitation.
Food Safety Education Classes – View Flyer
Dates: Sept. 10 and Sept. 17
English: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Spanish: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, 11080 White Rock Road, Suite 200, Rancho Cordova
Thinking About Selling Homemade Food?
EMD will also offer free Cottage Food Operation (CFO) workshops for people interested in legally starting and operating a cottage food business in Sacramento County.
The workshops cover permitting, operational and labeling requirements, approved cottage food products and common questions. Participants can also bring a sample product label and food product list for staff feedback.
Cottage Food Operation Workshops – View Flyer
Oct. 7: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Nov. 10: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, 11080 White Rock Road, Suite 200, Rancho Cordova
To register for classes or learn more, contact Erica Uriarte at UriarteE@saccounty.gov.
Food Safety Starts with Simple Steps
Whether you're preparing food at home or operating a food business, EMD recommends remembering the basics:
- Wash your hands.
- Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.
- Prevent cross-contamination.
- Cook foods thoroughly.
- Keep food preparation areas clean and sanitized.
“Providing education and helping vendors understand how to legally operate is our primary goal,” Uriarte said. “We want vendors to succeed while protecting public health and ensuring food sold in our communities is handled safely.”
Learn more about Sacramento County's food safety programs and resources at emd.saccounty.gov.