Church's Chicken Recognizes Food Safety Education Month

When you sit down to dinner – whether it is at a restaurant or at home – you probably don't think about how the food was prepared; however, according to Foodsafety.gov., food handling safety risks at home are more common than most people think.  In fact, the organization’s Web site indicates that 76 million cases of food borne illness occur every year and of that number 325,000 people are hospitalized – and 5,000 die from food borne illnesses. 

“These facts dramatically illustrate why Church’s Chicken takes food safety so seriously and why we require that a certified food safety manager is present at each of our domestic locations," says Steve Heissner, director of national field training. “It also points to the need why the general public should know and follow the proper food safety handling procedures in their own kitchens.”

"We have always made sure we followed food safety guidelines. And in an added effort to keep our customers safe and healthy, and in recognition of National Food Safety Education Month, we would like to offer some very helpful tips and advice about food safety," said Joseph de Jesus of Church’s Chicken® of Weslaco.

de Jesus recommends the following helpful food safety tips:

• Wash hands, utensils and food preparation surfaces such as cutting boards frequently and use warm soapy water and a nail brush.
• When cooking chicken, make sure to cook it to 185° F. You can’t tell whether food is cooked safely by how it looks, which is why every kitchen should have an accurate food thermometer.
• Many foods taste better a day or two after they’ve been cooked. However, food should be refrigerated soon after cooking – and never past two hours to limit bacterial build-up.  Place prepared food in the refrigerator at 40°F or below, which is another reason for the need of a food thermometer.
• When it comes to preparing raw meat or even eggs, keep them away from other foods so that chances for bacterial cross contamination are minimized.

“Church’s maintains a comprehensive Policy and Procedures Manual that addresses everything from personal hygiene, sanitation practices, critical cooking and holding times as well as product shelf life, handling and storage – and it doesn’t stop there," Heissner noted.

Church's Chicken has a long standing affiliation with ServSafe, a nationally accredited and recognized organization dedicated to employee education and certification in food safe handling practices, according to Heissner, to ensure they’re on top of the latest information in the area of food safety.

In 2009, the company looks to further their commitment to food safety by making certification more accessible to their extensive and diverse work force through multi-language online educational programs.

“Our passion for food safety is simple," Heissner said. “Church’s goal is to not only provide the best quality food at affordable prices but to do it in a way that also protects the safety and health of our customers."

With a focus on marketing, solidifying its image as an 'urban brand,' and shift to ‘high quality, high value,' Church's Chicken®  of Weslaco is known for its flavorful chicken and specialty sides, including Jalapeño Cheese Bombers, corn on the cob and its unique handmade-from-scratch honey butter biscuits at the best value.

"We'll continue our commitment to food safety in 2009 by making certification more accessible to our extensive and diverse work force through a comprehensive and multi-language online educational program on food safe handling and practices," de Jesus added. "Out ultimate goal is to protect the safety and health of our customers."

For more information about Church’s Chicken® of Weslaco, please contact Joseph de Jesus at (956) 849-2022.

About Church’s Chicken®

Founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 1952, Church's Chicken® is a highly recognized brand name in the QSR sector, and is one of the largest quick-service chicken concepts in the world. Church's Chicken® serves freshly prepared, high quality, flavorful chicken and tenders with signature sides and handmade-from-scratch biscuits at low prices and differentiates from its competitors in care and attention given in preparation of food, and is positioned as the Value Leader in the Chicken QSR category. As of April 2008, the Church's system had over 1,600 locations worldwide in 19 countries, with system sales exceeding $1 billion.