Minnesota Food Manager Certification
How do I become a Certified Food Protection Manager in Minnesota?
To earn your initial food manager certification in Minnesota, you need to complete an approved initial training course and pass an ANSI-accredited exam.
It's easy to meet these requirements with Learn2Serve by 360training. Our course is approved in Minnesota for initial certification, and our Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) exam is ANSI-accredited and valid in Minnesota. You'll get proof of successful completion for your official Minnesota CFPM application right away.
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What are the Minnesota food safety regulations?
Minnesota Food Code requires most food establishments to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). Exempt establishments include special event food stands, food vehicles, portable structures, carts, and that that meet the legal definition of a low-risk food establishment.
Anyone who is becoming a CFPM for the first time has to attend an approved food safety manager course like the one offered through Learn2Serve by 360training, then pass an ANSI-accredited exam like ours.
Once you've passed the exam, you need to mail an application and fee to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
The MDH advises that local jurisdictions may have additional requirements. We always recommend checking with your local health department to make sure you're meeting your obligations.
How long is the food manager certification good for?
Minnesota requires you to renew your food manager certification within three years of the date you pass an approved CFPM exam.
The renewal process is similar to your initial CFPM application, but instead of re-taking the initial food safety manager training, Minnesota requires four hours of approved continuing education (CE). Your CE must be complete before your Minnesota food protection manager certification expires.
If you fail to complete your CE before the expiration date, you'll have to re-take the initial course.
Can you take the Minnesota food manager exam online?
Yes, your exam will be administered through our online proctor service. The Learn2Serve Food Protection Manager Certification Exam is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and the Conference for Food Protection (ANSI-CFP).
Learn more about the policies and procedures required to successfully complete our online proctored exam.
Who should get their food manager certification?
The MDH says that an effective CFPM has a good working knowledge of the business and the authority to conduct the position's required duties. This could be the owner themselves or a high-ranking manager.
While Minnesota law only requires one certified manager per establishment, many restaurants and other establishments require all of their managers and chefs to become CFPMs. This policy can both strengthen their food safety program and ensure compliance with the Minnesota Food Code.
What does a food manager do and how can they improve food safety?
Food service and retail managers have obligations in many areas, from human resources and team management to customer service to operations.
Food safety also falls under their purview. In Minnesota, that means:
- Identifying health hazards in daily operations
- Developing and implementing policies/procedures to prevent foodborne illness
- Coordinating employee food safety training
- Ensuring at least one trained person in charge (PIC) is always present for food prep
- Directing food prep and taking corrective action when needed to protect consumer health
- Conducting periodic in-house inspections of daily operations to ensure compliance with food safety protocols
Due to the level of responsibility, food managers earn a significantly higher salary than servers and other food employees. According to wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here is the average amount of money you can expect to make in senior management positions in the Minnesota food service industry:
| Job Title | Average Hourly Wage | Average Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service Manager | $28.32 | $58,900 |
| Chef | $24.99 | $51,990 |
Minnesota-approved food safety manager certification is an important qualification for getting one of these jobs.
Why are food managers in Minnesota required to get ANSI certification?
Foodborne illness is a serious threat throughout the United States, including Minnesota. According to data from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, over a 10-year period (2003-2012), there were a total of 487 foodborne illness outbreaks. And the two most common pathogen found were Norovirus and Salmonella—both preventable with the right food safety protocols in place.
Since food service managers set food safety policies, educate staff in protocols, and ensure compliance, they're in a prime position to stop foodborne illnesses from breaking out in their establishment. Requiring food safety manager certification is a great way to ensure they're prepared for that role.
ANSI-accredited food protection manager certification programs meet the highest standards in food safety. That's why the ANSI CFPM program has been endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
