NOCO Express Gets Food Safety Approval
TONAWANDA, N.Y. -- NOCO Express is now one of the few convenience store chains in New York State to have its food safety program get the approval of the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
The chain's Food Safety Education Certification Program requires all NOCO store managers to pass the program.
As a result of recent legislation, Article 20-C of the New York Agriculture & Markets Law was changed to create a food safety certification requirement for any retail food stores that prepare the product on premises.
NOCO Express' retail training manager, Andi Baker, designed the training and certification test. Topics covered during the eight-hour course -- New York state food safety statutes and regulations, food borne illness, temperature control, pest control, food microbiology, personal hygiene, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, cleaning and sanitation and food security.
"In addition to meeting state requirements, the intention of the program was to educate NOCO associates on the importance of food safety as it applies to our NOCO Express Stores," said Baker. "Through the curriculum, associates were able to build a foundation on food safety to ensure that any food NOCO carries is handled and prepared according to State and Federal codes."
The Food Safety Training Course will be posted on the Department of Agriculture's Web site for other retailers to consider.
NOCO Energy Corp., operator of NOCO Express stores, is headquartered in Tonawanda, N.Y. The company provides industrial and residential fuels, lubricants, engine motor oils, heating and cooling services and oil recovery services. NOCO Energy operates 40 convenience stores with gasoline throughout Western New York and Rochester, N.Y.
The chain's Food Safety Education Certification Program requires all NOCO store managers to pass the program.
As a result of recent legislation, Article 20-C of the New York Agriculture & Markets Law was changed to create a food safety certification requirement for any retail food stores that prepare the product on premises.
NOCO Express' retail training manager, Andi Baker, designed the training and certification test. Topics covered during the eight-hour course -- New York state food safety statutes and regulations, food borne illness, temperature control, pest control, food microbiology, personal hygiene, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, cleaning and sanitation and food security.
"In addition to meeting state requirements, the intention of the program was to educate NOCO associates on the importance of food safety as it applies to our NOCO Express Stores," said Baker. "Through the curriculum, associates were able to build a foundation on food safety to ensure that any food NOCO carries is handled and prepared according to State and Federal codes."
The Food Safety Training Course will be posted on the Department of Agriculture's Web site for other retailers to consider.
NOCO Energy Corp., operator of NOCO Express stores, is headquartered in Tonawanda, N.Y. The company provides industrial and residential fuels, lubricants, engine motor oils, heating and cooling services and oil recovery services. NOCO Energy operates 40 convenience stores with gasoline throughout Western New York and Rochester, N.Y.