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University of Minnesota Extension
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Creating a thorough sanitation routine for food handlers

Event information

Location

Self-guided, online course

Contact

Extension food safety team, [email protected]

This course is part of the University of Minnesota Extension’s Serve It Up Safely™ program. It teaches how to follow food safety rules based on the Minnesota Food Code, current research, and industry best practices to help prevent the spread of foodborne illness in a food business.

Poor cleaning and hygiene practices can spread bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses and can transfer allergens from one food to another. This can lead to illness or injury for customers and employees.

Food handlers who use a thorough sanitation routine minimize food safety risks.

In each module, you’ll learn about common food safety hazards, risky behaviors, and practical ways to reduce these risks in your workplace. The course also includes training tips and resources for your staff. You’ll get a sample of the sanitation standard operating procedures that you can download and adapt for your business.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to create and use a thorough sanitation routine that helps prevent foodborne illness in your establishment.

Audience

  • Minnesota certified food protection managers (CFPM) who are renewing their registration. Each Serve It Up Safely course is approved for 1 hour of continuing education.
  • Supervisors or people in charge at a food establishment.
  • Anyone developing a food safety plan, such as food processors or manufacturers, and food business owners.
  • Anyone developing a food handler training program.

Cost

$25

Registration

Registration is required.

Accommodations

University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Language

This offering is delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available with an advance request.

Serve It Up Safely

The Serve It Up Safely program provides in-depth food safety education to help you develop and implement essential food safety procedures for your food establishment. The online course is a convenient, effective way to meet the State of Minnesota's continuing education requirement to renew your certified food protection manager certification. Our courses are also excellent for employee food safety training.

  • The program consists of online, self-paced courses.
  • Each course applies rules from the Minnesota Food Code, current research, and industry best practices for preventing the spread of foodborne illness-causing pathogens throughout a food establishment.
  • Those who complete a Serve It Up Safely™ course will be able to explain how safe food handling practices minimize food safety risks, and apply the knowledge and skills learnt to the management of their food establishment.

Find out more about Serve It Up Safely.

Upcoming events

© 2026 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.