ATC cites 83 businesses in Mardi Gras sting with 5 days to go

Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) agents have conducted over 600 alcohol and tobacco compliance checks across the state since February 2, 2015. Of those businesses checked, 83 sold alcohol and/or tobacco to underage operatives.

"With the five largest days to go until Mardi Gras, a 13% non-compliance rate is troublesome. Let me be clear to those businesses and servers; alcohol and tobacco permits are a privilege that come with a great deal of responsibility. Those being irresponsible may lose that privilege before Fat Tuesday," stated ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert.

ATC agents and undercover operatives will be working across the state to ensure that illegal sales of alcohol and tobacco do not dampen the Mardi Gras season.

"The majority of undercover operatives used by ATC are 16 and 17 years old. With the legal age to purchase alcohol being 21, there's simply no excuse for these irresponsible sales," added Hebert.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association offers ServSafe Alcohol online server training course at www.laserverpermit.com. For just $24 for members and $30 for non-members, individuals can spend two-hours completing the course anywhere they have a PC and an internet connection and obtain their state-approved responsible vendor permit. A portion of the course is dedicated to proper techniques for checking identification to determine whether a customer is of legal drinking age. 

ATC sees drop in New Year's alcohol sales to minors

Agents with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) hit the streets across the state during the 2015 New Year celebrations, working to keep alcohol and tobacco products out of the hands of minors.

Last New Year’s stats:  116 checks / 27 sales = 77% compliance rate

This New Year’s stats: 234 checks/33 sales = 86% compliance rate

“During ATC’s annual New Year’s Eve sting, we doubled the amount of checks and sales to minors went down 9%," said ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert. "That’s great news and I commend the businesses that did the right thing,” Commissioner Hebert added.

ATC agents spent the night and early morning of December 31 and January 1 conducting underage compliance checks of businesses throughout the state. This included restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels and convenience and grocery stores.

Throughout 2014, the Agency has set a new standard for compliance checks, not only increasing the number of checks during special events like Mardi Gras and New Year’s Eve, but also many special events where alcohol is served.

“ATC looks to continue its hard work in 2015 and further the Agency’s mission to promote responsible business practices and prevent access of alcohol and tobacco to minors,” said Commissioner Hebert. “Nothing good comes out of selling or serving alcohol and tobacco to a minor."

The LRA now offers ServSafe Alcohol® -- a vital, practical and current responsible alcohol service training program that includes Louisiana alcohol beverage regulations. The ServSafe Alcohol for Louisiana online course is approved by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol & Tobacco Control and the Responsible Vendor Board; in fact, ServSafe was the first approved online provider for the LA Server Permit. 

By providing practical knowledge and best-in-class resources, ServSafe Alcohol helps servers earn their LA Server Permit and put knowledge into action when it matters most. That makes ServSafe Alcohol the smart training solution for every server and every operation. Click here for more information about the course.

Use ServSafe for your food safety training requirements

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) just learned that a Utah company has been spamming Gulf South restaurateurs with deceptive calls referencing faulty required food safety and sanitation courses. A cease and desist was issued by ANSI through efforts of the National Restaurant Association as a result. The LRA is your state approved trusted resource for all food safety and sanitation, alcohol server, food handler and allergens training courses.

ServSafe Manager, the eight-hour course is required by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. ServSafe Alcohol Training Online is required by the Louisiana Alcohol Tobacco Control.  As a member of the LRA, you receive a significant discount on all ServSafe products, both required and voluntary:

REQUIRED:

ServSafe Manager

The Louisiana Dept. of Health and Hospitals requires that at least one person per foodservice establishment complete the eight-hour food safety and sanitation course—ServSafe Manager. The comprehensive course blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience. The LRA is the largest training provider in the state for ServSafe Manager and LRA Members receive a significant discount. Classes are offered in person and available online here.

Upcoming ServSafe Classes (All classes are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Registered online here.

April 7, Quality Hotel, 210 S. Hollywood Road, Houma

April 28, The Chicory, 610 S. Peters St., New Orleans

May 5, Bossier Parish Community College, 6220 East Texas St., Bossier City

May 7, Courtyard By Marriott, 3830 Alexandria Mall Dr., Alexandria

May 13, Café Reconcile, 1634 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans

May 19, Juban’s Restaurant, 3739 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge

May 20, South Louisiana Community College, 1101 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette

May 21, Sowela Technical Community College, 3820 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Ave., Lake Charles

June 9, Alack Culinary Equipment, 17420 Hwy 190, Hammond

June 16, Chateau Country Club, 3600 Chateau Blvd., Kenner

June 23, Juban’s Restaurant, 3739 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge

June 24, South Louisiana Community College, 1101 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette

June 30, Boomtown Casino, 4132 Peters Rd., Harvey

ServSafe Alcohol Online

Launched last summer, ServSafe Alcohol Online training is the first of its kind in Louisiana and replaces the need for servers of alcoholic beverages to attend a class in person. The ATC mandated, two-hour ServSafe Alcohol Online course is available 24/7 anywhere servers have access to a PC and the internet. LRA members receive a 10 percent discount on the regular $30 cost.

VOLUNTARY:

ServSafe Food Handler

ServSafe Food Handler is designed to add an additional layer of protection for your restaurant’s patrons. The two-hour course is available online for just $15 and provides your staff with the basic knowledge they need to serve your guests in a safety and sanitary manner. 

ServSafe Allergens

The most recent product released by the LRA is ServSafe Allergens—a 90-minute online course developed to assist restaurant staff in serving the 15 million Americans with food allergies safely. This voluntary course teaches restaurant staff about the various food allergies and implications for guests, how to properly communicate with guests and other restaurant staff, and proper procedures for front and back of the house staff, avoiding cross contact, inventory and preparation controls and what to do in case of an emergency. With the increased demand for gluten-free menu options and other alterations, this course can help you become more trusted among diners with food allergies. The cost for LRA members is $19.80. 

If you receive a call of this type referenced above or have any questions, please call the LRA at (504) 454-2277 today.  

Alcohol Server Permits available online in Louisiana, 24/7

For years, if you needed a Responsible Vendor Permit, or a bar card, you had to go to a class and take it in person. The process went something like this: find a class, register, clear your schedule, drive there, pay, take the course, take the test and get your permit mailed a few weeks later. 

Now, thanks to the efforts of the National and Louisiana Restaurant Associations, ServSafe Alcohol, online server training has arrived, for the first time, in the Bayou State! It’s convenient, interactive, state-approved, available 24/7 and costs just $30.

Restaurant servers, bartenders, and convenience and grocery store cashiers must have an alcohol server permit according to Louisiana law. A permit is good for four years, before it expires and the server has to repeat the course.

Videos, case studies and quizzes help you retain the lessons during the 2-3 hour ServSafe Alcohol course, which can be taken anywhere you have internet access and a PC.

From the alcohol content of wine, beer and spirits, how alcohol is absorbed in the body and then leaves the body, to the factors that affect someone’s blood alcohol content (BAC), servers will gain the knowledge needed to serve alcohol safely and responsibly.

Communication is a big focus of the ServSafe Alcohol online training course and is the responsibility of all employees—managers, doorstaff, valets, security staff, servers and bartenders. It’s the central theme throughout the training and staff communications can reduce intoxication, altercations and accidents.

Permits are issued by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol Tobacco Control and once you’ve passed the course, your printable ServSafe Alcohol Certificate is acceptable until your permit is received. 

This is the online approved online course in Louisiana! Visit www.laserverpermit.com to learn more or take your course today.

LRA first approved by ATC for Online Server Permit Training

The Louisiana Restaurant Association is pleased to announce ServSafe Alcohol Online. For the first time in Louisiana, individuals can now obtain their Responsible Vendor Permit, or bar card, by completing the two-hour course online 24-7—it’s fast, convenient and state approved.

ServSafe Alcohol is a vital, practical and current responsible alcohol service training program that includes Louisiana alcohol regulations. The ServSafe Alcohol for Louisiana Online Program is approved by the Louisiana Office Alcohol & Tobacco Control and the Responsible Vendor Board. By providing practical knowledge and best-in-class resources, ServSafe Alcohol helps servers put knowledge into action when it matters most. That makes ServSafe Alcohol the smart training solution for every server and every operation. 

Online Learning Benefits

Convenience. Traditional training relies on instructors presenting materials at a specific time and location. Online training enables workers to learn in the office or at home, and allows the flexibility of scheduling the training when it is most convenient.

Pace of Learning. One fundamental advantage of online training over synchronous (real time) training is that a student can learn at his own pace. Comprehension quizzes at the end of each training module test knowledge before moving on to the next module and allow students to review portions of training materials before moving on to new chapters.

Presentation. Online training courses can be supplemented by on-screen graphics, short videos, which may accelerate learning for some participants.

Consistency. One of the advantages of online training is consistency of the message. In-person training is different as trainers may deliver their material differently or adjust the course content from one session to another as they see fit. Thus, no two students are guaranteed that they will receive the exact same training.

Visit www.laserverpermit.com today to take your alcohol server course.

The National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Alcohol Online Course is a convenient and easy training solution that prepares bartenders, servers, hosts, bussers, valets, bouncers and all front of the house staff to effectively and safely handle difficult situations in the operation. Knowledgeable, responsible alcohol service is a priority for every operation. That’s why ServSafe creators teamed up with experts in the beverage, foodservice, medical, insurance, legal, academic and regulatory industries to develop our comprehensive program. The online program is built by the same creators as the highly-regarded ServSafe food safety program, protecting you for nearly 40 years.

Know your holiday alcohol service

The upcoming holiday season will be a busy one for restaurants, as millions of Americans celebrate the occasion by dining out. Beer, wine and cocktails can be great additions to the holiday meal experience, so it's important for restaurant operators to train staff in responsible alcohol service.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is one of the largest provider of alcohol server training in the state. The two-hour Louisiana's BEST course meets the states requirement that all servers of alcohol complete the course and pass to obtain a Responsible Vendor Permit, or a bar card as it's often referred.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has created a “Know Your Holiday Alcohol Service” infographic to illustrate key facts. The NRA's ServSafe social media team will hold a Twitter party featuring two alcohol service experts on Thursday, Nov. 29, at 2 to 2:30 p.m. CT/3 to 3:30 p.m. ET to answer operator and employee questions. Follow @ServSafe and use the hashtag #ServSafeSeason to join.