Each year, it’s estimated that about one in six people gets sick as a result of foodborne pathogens. Whether this illness stems from a restaurant kitchen or the deli of a grocery store, it’s crucial that regulations and protocols are followed to ensure that these numbers go down.
Becoming a preventative controls qualified individual is the best way to do your part in reducing foodborne illness. But, you may be asking, what exactly does this mean? Hor can become one of these professionals?
That’s what we’re going to look into today. Read on to learn how to make a difference in the food preparation and service industry!
What Is a Preventative Controls Qualified Individual?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the governing entity that controls the quality of food, drinks, and drugs in America. Generally, they exist to monitor the cleanliness of restaurants and observe that certain standards are met in food acquisition and preparation.
A preventative controls qualified individual (PCQI) is someone who has undergone training so that they can develop and apply a food safety system. These people must know many things, including how to identify food safety risks, how to draft plans for food safety in restaurants, and the basics of food allergen and sanitation controls.
What Tasks Do They Perform?
Any restaurant or facility that serves food must have a written food safety plan. These documents detail how workers and managers will ensure that food follows FDA regulations and guidelines. It’s a legal document that the restaurant must adhere to in order to remain in operation.
All of these food safety plans must be drafted by a PCQI. The main thing that these professionals do is to oversee the creation of these food safety plans and ensure that those working in the food-serving facility understand how to regulate the safety in preparation and quality of their food.
Education and Training
In order to become a PCQI, you’ll need to have a specific educational and training background. Generally, in order to become a PCQI, you’ll first likely need to have experience as a food sanitation and safety expert. However, if you have an educational background in business supervision (or being a supervisor more generally), then you may qualify as well.
You will then need to take courses under a standard FDA-recognized curriculum. These courses are on a wide variety of topics including hazard analysis, prevention procedures, and sanitation.
After the course is complete, you will receive your PCQI certificate.
Become a PCQI
While there are a lot of ways to make a difference in the world, becoming a PCQI is one of the best. You’ll be able to ensure that people stay happy and healthy while enjoying the food that they love most.
Now that you know how to become a preventive controls qualified individual, it’s time to get more tips to do well in business. Check out the ‘business’ tab on our home page. Here, you’ll learn more about how to grow into the leader that you need to be in order to become a successful PCQI.
Good luck!
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