39E-12

S. NIETO-MONTENEGRO¹, S. GóMEZ-BUENO², and J. Valenzuela². (1) Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Ninos Heroes #5085-B, Fracc. Villa del Norte, Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, 32360, Mexico, (2) Secretaría de Vinculación y Gestión Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua

There is a need for continuos training on Food Safety in foodservice facilities located at several industries in Chihuahua city, due mainly to a high personnel rotation. Chihuahua University attends an invitation of the Health Department to participate as instructor in a program called " Training for the development of foodservice personnel at Chihuahua City ". The objective of this program is to train on food safety, nonprofessional foodservice employees by students of the Food Science program of the University of Chihuahua. Seven students of the lasts semesters of the Food Science Program were selected on a competitive basis to be instructors. They were instructed in some Food Safety topics that have to be covered in the training program. The students designed an eight-hour short course that includes: importance of food safety; elements of microbiology; personal hygiene; foodborne illnesses; food handling; and facilities, equipment and utensils sanitation. In two months 200 foodservice employees had been trained at their work facilities. The University and Health Department give to every trained worker a certificate of achievement. The students get experience in real life problems when they go out of the university to train people, also every student receive an economical grant . This is only the first part of a permanent training program given by students, the next part will have other topics like food preservation, HACCP, foodservice administration and will be open to other food industry sectors.