Mississippi Food Handlers Card Online
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Does Mississippi require food handler training?
Food handler training is recommended for food workers in Mississippi to help you learn to follow the sanitation regulations set forth by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Food handler training covers topics like:
- food protection
- food temperature and time requirements
- proper food acquisition
- transmission of foodborne diseases
- handwashing procedures
- effective washing of food contact services
Food handler training can also beef up your resume for jobs in a variety of establishments like:
- Restaurants
- Fast food
- Caterers
- Bakeries and doughnut shops
- Coffee shops
- Mobile food units and food trucks
- Bars serving food
- Educational institutions
Some cities or counties may have different requirements from the state. Ask your city/county or employer about local standards.
Can I take an online course to get my food handler permit?
You can! Getting your food handler permit online is faster and more convenient than other options.
Our food handler permit course at Learn2Serve, by 360training, is ANAB-accredited. That means it follows the highest standards for food handler training.
How long does a Mississippi food handlers certificate last?
Mississippi food handler certificates generally need to be refreshed every 2-3 years. Ask your employer or local health authority about their specific standards.
Why should I take food handler training?
Completing food handler training can move your resume to the top of the pile during a job search, because it's proof you have some of the skills your employer would normally have to teach you.
But food handler training is also important to the public health. As a food employee in Mississippi, you'll play a big role in preventing the spread of foodborne illness.
For example, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that contagious food service workers are the source for 70% of reported outbreaks of norovirus (a common source of food poisoning).
Mississippi typically has a low rate of foodborne illness outbreaks, compared to the rest of the country. According to CDC records, it's been in the lowest quartile since 2011 (2-4 outbreaks a year).
By practicing the techniques you'll learn in food handler training, you can help keep the number of outbreaks as low as possible.
What jobs can I get in Mississippi with my food handler license?
In Mississippi, a food handler license qualifies you for many types of jobs. The training is suited to any position that requires contact with unpackaged food and/or food-contact surfaces, equipment, or utensils.
That includes jobs like:
- Cooks, chefs, dishwashers, and other back-of-house staff
- Restaurant servers
- Bartenders
- Food runners
- Food counter workers
- Bus persons
- Catering staff
- Catering staff
- Event staff
- Meat cutters
- Store clerks where unpackaged food is sold
And job demand is high because the food and beverage industry in Mississippi is growing fast.
According to the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association (MHRA), in 2019 there were 121,900 restaurant and food service jobs, which translates to 10% of total employment. More importantly, that number is projected to grow 10.2% by the year 2029. That's more than double the 5% national projected job growth in all sectors.
If you’re looking to get a job in the food and beverage industry in Mississippi, here are some good options, along with how much money you can expect to make based on wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Job Title | Average Hourly Wage | Average Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|
Dishwasher | $9.18 | $19,090 |
Waiter/Waitress | $9.89 | $20,560 |
Fast Food Cook | $8.78 | $18,270 |
Restaurant Cook | $10.74 | $22,340 |
If you get your food handler card before you apply for any of these jobs, you’ll be way ahead of the competition!
Where can I find more information about food safety in Mississippi?
Mississippi State Department of Health: The MSDH establishes standards, recommendation, and regulations for food safety. It's an important source of information for retail food establishments and food manufacturing establishments.
County Health Departments of Mississippi: You can find contact information for your local health authority here.
How do I get a food handler card in Mississippi?
Getting a food handler card in Mississippi couldn't be simpler. Take a brief training program, pass the exam, and you can print your certificate of completion right away. Take it to your employer as proof of training. Enroll now to get your food handler certification in Mississippi!