SECTUR

Catering Establishments with “H” Certificates

Guests always expect catering establishments to serve food that is not only high quality but also hygienic – posing no risk to their own or their families’ health.

Fortunately, hygiene controls in Mexico have been incorporated into the preparation and serving of food for over a decade. As proof of this, there are now over 1,900 Catering Establishments which have been awarded the “H” Certificate.

“H” Certificate catering establishments give added value to guests or customers in terms of their trust and feeling of safety in regard to the responsible and high quality handling, preparation and service of food without this necessarily being reflected in high prices.

Catering establishments with “H” Certificates will also enjoy other advantages; creating a culture of hygiene for personnel who handle and serve food, so customers have more confidence in the establishment, Mexico gains a better international reputation for preventing foodborne illnesses and consumers’ trust will lead to their loyalty.

Obtaining the “H” Certificate

The following requirements are necessary to obtain the “H” Certificate:

     A minimum of 80% of operational personnel and 100% of middle-managers need to have taken the “Hygienic Food Handling” course, given by the instructors registered by the Ministry of Tourism.

     Meet the food hygiene requirements defined in the “H” Program check-list.

[Company decides it wishes to apply for an “H” Certificate]

[It develops an implementation program with an instructor registered by the Ministry of Tourism]

[It determines its probability of obtaining it]

[The company selects and hires a Certification Agency]

[The Certification Agency makes an inspection visit and sends report to Tourism Ministry]

[No]

[Amendments made]

[Yes]

[Ministry of Tourism awards “H” Certificate]

Certification Agencies

Certification Agencies are organizations or companies accredited by the Tourism Ministry in coordination with the Mexican Accreditation Agency, A.C. (EMA) and the Regulatory Improvement Bureau. They are responsible for drawing up the Report from the check-list based on the Mexican norm NMX-F-605-NORMEX-2004, Hygienic Food Handling in the Catering Service prepared for Certificate “H” Award, that is given to permanent food and beverage establishments which apply for it.

Accreditation from the certification agencies has brought the following benefits for companies who wish to obtain the “H” Certificate:

Improved service levels across the country

Less investment

Follow up visits

Enhanced control during inspection process

Directory of Certification Agencies: (172 Kb.)