La Salle County Hosts Annual Food Service Seminar on Sept. 8

The La Salle County Health Department is set to sponsor the 31st Annual Food Service Seminar on September 8, 2023, at Senica’s Oak Ridge in La Salle. This event is a critical gathering for professionals in the food service industry, focusing on essential safety and health topics.

Registration for the seminar will take place from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., followed by the program, which begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes around 4:30 p.m.. Attendees will hear from a diverse lineup of speakers, including representatives from Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators, Inc., Performance Food Service – Thoms Proestler (PFG), the Peoria City/County Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Cintas Corporation, and OSF Healthcare.

Key Topics and Importance of Food Safety

The seminar will cover crucial subjects such as pest control, chemical hazards, and safety protocols in the food service industry. Other important discussions will include public health emergencies in food establishments, the history of food safety, service animals in food settings, updates from the IDPH, and plumbing considerations in food establishments.

September is recognized as National Food Safety Education Month, emphasizing the importance of food safety practices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 48 million people in the United States—roughly one in six Americans—contract some form of food-borne illness each year. These statistics highlight the necessity for ongoing education in food safety, as 128,000 cases lead to hospitalization and an estimated 3,000 deaths annually result from food-borne illnesses.

Foodborne illnesses can be largely prevented by adhering to basic safety guidelines: clean, separate, cook, and chill. These principles are vital for anyone working in food service to understand and implement.

Registration and Additional Information

To pre-register for the food service seminar, individuals can contact the La Salle County Health Department at 815-433-3366 or visit their official website at www.lasallecountyil.gov. For more information on food safety and best practices, the CDC website offers extensive resources.

The upcoming seminar underscores the need for continuous education and awareness in food safety, fostering a healthier community through informed practices.