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Food Service Safety and Sanitation (Universities) Online Training

20 minutesENSafety TrainingFDA Food Code, State and local health department regulations
Quick Answer

Food Service Safety and Sanitation (Universities) is a 20-minute online course that trains university dining hall and food service staff on food safety fundamentals, personal hygiene, temperature control, and sanitation procedures aligned with the FDA Food Code. It is designed for campus dining workers, food service supervisors, and university auxiliary services managers, and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

The CDC estimates that 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illness every year, resulting in approximately 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. University dining operations serve thousands of meals daily to a population that includes immunocompromised individuals, making food safety training critical for campus food service teams. In 2024, hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illness outbreaks more than doubled compared to the previous year according to the U.S. PIRG Food for Thought report, with Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli responsible for the most serious outcomes. The FDA Food Code, adopted by all 50 states as the basis for local food safety regulation, requires that food establishments employ a certified food protection manager and that food handlers receive training in safe food handling practices.

This course prepares your university food service staff to handle, prepare, and serve food safely in campus dining environments. Your employees will learn personal hygiene and handwashing requirements, time-temperature control for potentially hazardous foods, cross-contamination prevention, allergen awareness, proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and the fundamentals of HACCP-based food safety management. The training addresses the unique characteristics of university dining - high volume, diverse menu offerings, buffet service, and student worker turnover - with practical procedures your team can apply immediately.

What You'll Learn

  • Personal hygiene requirements including handwashing, illness reporting, and proper attire
  • Time-temperature control: cooking temperatures, holding temperatures, and the danger zone (41-135F)
  • Cross-contamination prevention in food preparation, storage, and service
  • Allergen awareness and communication procedures for the eight major food allergens
  • Proper cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of food contact surfaces and equipment
  • Receiving, storage, and FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory rotation procedures
  • HACCP fundamentals and critical control points in university food service operations

Who Needs This Training

  • University dining hall and cafeteria food service workers
  • Campus food service supervisors and kitchen managers
  • Student employees working in campus dining operations
  • University catering and event food service staff
  • Auxiliary services managers overseeing campus food operations
  • Seasonal and temporary food service employees at academic institutions

Regulatory Background

The FDA Food Code serves as the model food safety regulation adopted, in whole or in part, by all 50 states and most local health departments. University dining operations are regulated as food service establishments under state and local health codes based on the Food Code. The Code requires that food establishments designate a certified food protection manager and that all food handlers receive training proportionate to their duties. State health departments conduct routine inspections of campus dining facilities and can issue citations, fines, or closure orders for violations. The CDC estimates 48 million foodborne illnesses annually in the United States, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. In 2024, the U.S. PIRG reported that foodborne illness hospitalizations more than doubled year-over-year, driven by Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli outbreaks. Universities face additional reputational and liability exposure because they serve a captive population of students, many of whom are living independently for the first time and rely entirely on campus dining.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FDA Food Code requires that food establishments employ at least one certified food protection manager and that food employees receive training appropriate to their duties. Most states have adopted these provisions into their health codes. University dining operations are inspected as food service establishments and must demonstrate that staff are trained in safe food handling, personal hygiene, and temperature control procedures.
The danger zone for bacterial growth is between 41 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 57 degrees Celsius). Potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) must be kept below 41F or above 135F to prevent bacterial multiplication. Foods that remain in the danger zone for more than four hours cumulative time must be discarded. Proper hot holding, cold holding, and rapid cooling procedures are essential to keeping foods out of this range.
Yes. State and local health codes based on the FDA Food Code require that all food handlers - including student workers - receive food safety training appropriate to their duties. Student workers present unique training challenges because of high turnover and limited food service experience. Universities should provide food safety training as part of the hiring process and before student employees begin handling food.
Inspection frequency varies by state and local jurisdiction, but most health departments inspect food service establishments at least once or twice per year. High-volume university dining operations may be inspected more frequently. Inspections evaluate food temperature control, employee hygiene practices, cross-contamination prevention, sanitation procedures, and pest control. Repeat violations can result in escalating fines or temporary closure.
This course provides foundational food safety awareness training appropriate for food handlers and line-level dining staff. It does not substitute for the certified food protection manager (CFPM) examination required by most states, which must be administered by an accredited certification program (such as ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, or equivalent). This course prepares employees to handle food safely and complements - but does not replace - manager-level certification.
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$24.95
per person