The four were certified in the ServSafe program developed by the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation. The program emphasizes the need for safe preparation and handling of food by food service personnel in business and industry. It is recommended by the Food and Drug Administration, Tennessee Restaurant Association and Tennessee Department of Health.
The four ORNL food service employees recently certified are Nancy Jones of Kingston, Russ Smith of Harriman, Michael Strickland of Oliver Springs and Kevin Webb of Knoxville. Certification covers five years. All 15 of ORNL's food service workers are now certified under the program, which was started in 1991.
"This is a good way to prevent diseases which result from the improper handling and preparation of food," said Terry Allmond, an industrial hygienist in ORNL's Office of Safety and Health Protection, who taught the course in September and October. "It protects employees and customers of a business, minimizes insurance costs, reduces liability risks and improves food quality."
Certification was granted after the personnel passed a 100-question multiple choice test.
ORNL, one of DOE's multiprogram national research and development facilities, is managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, which also manages the Oak Ridge K-25 Site and the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant.