According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, more than half of food-related illnesses in the country result from contaminated food sold at restaurants and delis. To curb disease spread, many local authorities have made it mandatory for staff to undergo safety training and earn food handling certification. These programs teach restaurant managers how to keep their workplace safe from contaminants by following the best cleaning and hygiene practices, storing foods, and sanitizing surfaces.
Purpose of a food handler’s certificate
A food handling or food safety certification is beneficial for those working in restaurants, cafeterias, educational institutions, hotels, nursing homes, grocery stores, offices, and other facilities that prepare and serve food. These certificate programs offer training on themes like food safety, foodborne illnesses, proper food storage principles, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, cross-contamination, food allergies, time and temperature guidelines, and thermometer use. Although not every state requires staff and managers to be trained regarding food safety standards, food handling is widely regarded as a desirable certification.
Ways to get a food handler’s certificate
One of the easiest ways to find and apply for a food handling and safety certification program is by getting in touch with the state or local authorities. The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) also maintains a list of accredited food safety certificate issuers for some states. Those who are already employed in the field may directly participate in employer-run food handling certification programs, which are often offered free of charge.
Basic food handling and safety certificate courses typically take around two hours to complete. Following this, attendees are expected to pass a final exam. It is important to note that the format and duration of these tests can vary significantly. In some states, individuals may also be required to repeat the training and exam every 2–3 years to maintain their certification.Â
Top online food handler certifications
1. ServSafe
The ServSafe Food Safety program was developed by the National Restaurant Association in collaboration with food experts in the industry. Its goal is to define food safety best practices based on the latest scientific findings, research, and the FDA code.
ServSafe training is offered online as well as in classrooms. The course can be taken in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean, and exams can be taken in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Canadian French. The program takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $15, which covers the non-state-specific course and assessment bundle.
2. Cogneti
This company runs an ANAB-accredited Food Handler certification program that complies with food safety regulations across Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas, and West Virginia. This $15 online course can be completed from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The course has multiple levels, each with its own learning objective. At the end of the learning material, users are guided to take an exam, where they must score 70% or higher to pass the course. That said, the exam can be re-taken multiple times. Upon clearing the exam, the certificate and badge are sent to one’s mail. A physical badge is also available on request.
3. Always Food Safe
The Food Handler Certification offered by Always Food Safe is a self-paced, online learning program that costs $10. It is accepted across the country. The course is split into nine parts—Introduction to Food Safety and the Law, Food Safety Hazards, Allergens, Time and Temperature Controls, Principles of Safe Food Storage, Food Pests, Cleaning, Front of House, and Personal Hygiene.
Participants only need to commit two hours toward course completion. They are offered two attempts to pass the exam.
4. A Plus Food Training
This ANSI-accredited course offered by A Plus Food Training LLC is a two-hour program that follows the state guidelines set by the authorities. It is offered in two formats, with the online version costing $15 and the instructor-led version priced at $50. Food handler certificates (valid for up to three years) are issued for all students who score 75% or higher on the final assessment.
5. StateFoodSafety
This program can cost anywhere between $10 to $40, depending on the state of residence. This online food handler’s certification course complies with the latest FDA Code, which covers food safety guidelines. The course has a simple 30-40 question MCQ test as a final assessment.
6. AAA Food Handler
The AAA offers several prevention training courses, one of which is the Food Handler Training Program. The course is 100% online and accessible around the clock. It takes one and a half hours to complete. A key feature of the platform is that it has portals that allow business owners and managers to track employee progress. The course is offered in English and Spanish to ensure accessibility to a wider audience. Prices for this course begin at $6.95.
7. FoodSafePal
This is another company that offers a widely respected food safety and handling training program. It costs $15, takes 75 minutes to complete, and can be accessed online. A 40-MCQ test is mandatory to earn a certificate.
8. 360 Training Learn2Serve®
Those looking for a national-level food handling certification must consider the online program offered by 360 Training Learn2Serve®. This up-to-date, interactive course takes two hours to complete and costs $9.99. Students are supposed to take a final exam that consists of 45 questions and get 72% or higher to pass. The company also runs special programs to meet specific state requirements, such as those set by California and Texas.
