Courses offered on food-borne illnesses

DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Chautauqua County officials hope to strike a blow in the battle against food-borne illnesses.

The health department will soon be offering courses to train certified professional food handlers across the county. A recent study shows food-borne illnesses kill 5,600 people in the U.S. each year and rack up $152 billion annually in health care costs.

Douglas Hamernik of the Chautauqua County Health Department said, "It's going to take time, it's a new program here, but there is a demand. We've had a lot of people sign up and they want to send multiple people."

County Executive Greg Edwards says it's critical that food service establishments get a member trained under this program to prevent outbreaks.