Effective January 22, 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) requires the “person in charge” in a food service operation to hold a “nationally recognized food protection certificate” such as ServSafe®. To receive and maintain national food safety certification, all individuals are required to pass a certification exam every five (5) years. The certified person must be accessible, such as in-person or by phone, during the facilities’ hours of operation.

The following courses are being offered by the Division of Health and Neighborhood Services in conjunction with Penn State Extension.

	ServSafe   Food Safety course for  Profit Organizations.		Cooking for Crowds Food Safety course for  Non-Profit Organizations.
	Class Schedule 2020 Dates: January 30 & February 6, 2020 (snow make up day February 20) April 16 & 23, 2020  June 11 & 18, 2020 August 20 & 27, 2020 October 22 & 29, 2020 December 3 & 10, 2020 Times  First Day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Second Day:  9 a.m. to noon, with exam given at 12:30 p.m. Location  State College Borough Municipal Building Room 220 243 South Allen Street State College, PA Register Register online at Penn State Cooperative Extension. If you need assistance registering or to register by phone, please call 1-877-345-0691, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to register. Cost  $185, includes latest edition of the ServSafe Manager book, certification exam, thermometer, practice and diagnostic exams, handouts, and study guide. Direct Questions to...   Brian O’Donnell Call 814-278-4718 or email Opens a New Window.  .		About Although geared to volunteers, those working in food establishments will also find this information to be beneficial. The basic food safety practices included in our certification program are taught in this session as well and include: What causes foodborne illness and how to prevent it  Preparation practice to keep food safe How to safely purchase and store food and supplies How to plan a safe and successful food event The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture accepts this program for the legal operations of non-profit organizations. The next Cooking for Crowds event will take place May, 13 2019. For more information click here.  To schedule a course please contact the Extension Educator and Food Safety Specialist for Penn State. Opens a New Window.    Cost $25, includes the Cooking for Crowds, A Volunteer’s Guide to Food Safety notebook, posters, thermometer, and training folder.
	TAP Online Food Safety Certification Course The TAP Online Food Safety Certification Course, offered by Penn State Cooperative Extension, is for individuals preparing for the exam. After completing the online course and passing the proctored, multiple-choice exam with a score of 75% or higher, participants will receive a ServSafe® certificate, which meets the PDA requirement for food safety certification. This certification is valid for 5 years. Register  Register online If you need assistance registering or to register by phone, please call 1-877-345-0691, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to register.  Location  The class is online; however, the exam is proctored by the Penn State Extension. Contact in advance to arrange.   Cost $145 for certification with the exam.
	ServSafe Online This is a self-paced interactive online program, which includes a practice exam. The online version is a popular option for those who have already been certified once in food safety. After completing the online Manager Training course and passing the proctored, multiple-choice exam with a score of 75% or higher, participants will receive a ServSafe® certificate, which meets the PDA requirement for food safety certification. This certification is valid for 5 years. Location The class is online; however, the exam is proctored by the Division of Health and Neighborhood Services. Contact in advance to arrange: State College Borough Municipal Building 243 South Allen Street State College, PA Phone: 814-234-7191 Cost $125 (to ServSafe) for the online course, plus $65 to proctor the exam and the current costs for the online or paper exam (this is variable and set by ServSafe).

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes the Food Code, a model that assists food control jurisdictions at all levels of government by providing them with a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the industry (restaurants and grocery stores and institutions such as nursing homes). Local, state, tribal, and federal regulators use the FDA Food Code as a model to develop or update their own food safety rules and to be consistent with national food regulatory policy.

FDA Food Code

Penn State Extension: Centre County

Penn State Extension is a modern educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities. 

FoodSafety.Gov

Get the latest news, alerts, and tips on safely handling and storing food to prevent food poisoning.

Cooking for Groups:  A Volunteer’s Guide to Food Safety

The goal of this brochure is to help volunteers prepare and serve food safely for large groups such as family reunions, church dinners, and community gatherings. This food may be prepared at the volunteer’s home and brought to the event, or prepared and served at the gathering.

Medical Services are not provided by the State College Health and Neighborhood Services Division. 

Here are some of the services and resources available:

• Pennsylvania Department of Health provides programs, services, and health-related information for adults, business owners, caregivers, health care professionals, parents, researchers, school representatives, teens and all Pennsylvanians.
• Prescription Discount Card, administered by CVS Caremark, can save you an average of 24% off the full retail cost of prescription medication. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee for residents and no restrictions or limits on the frequency of use. The discount card is accepted at more than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide, including all major pharmacy chains and most local independent pharmacies. Print your savings card today.
• Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas, which can cause sudden illness and death, is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. CDC works with national, state, local, and other partners to raise awareness about CO poisoning and to monitor, evaluate, and present CO-related illness and death surveillance data in the U.S.
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns.
• Molds are part of the natural environment and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is not usually a problem unless it begins growing indoors. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture. This website provides guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings. Molds can have a big impact on indoor air quality.