Safe Food Handling Courses

According to Ontario Regulation 493/17: Food Premises, all food premises, such as restaurants, food trucks, cafeterias etc., are required to have a certified safe food handler on-site while food is being served.

How do I become a certified food handler?

There are several courses and options available online. The Ministry of Health provides a list of accredited courses available to food handlers. Once you complete the course and pass a test, you will get a Food Handler Training Certification that will be valid for 5 years.

During the course, you will learn:

  • Role of the Board of Health
  • Public health legislation and regulations
  • Causes of foodborne illness and outbreaks (microbiological, physical, and chemical)
  • Outline of food safety management principles (including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) based principles)
  • Safe food handling, preparation, and storage (including basic microbiology, safe food supplies, and adverse reactions to food)
  • Food handler hygiene
  • Food premises sanitation, design, and maintenance
  • Prevention of food allergies, incidents and response

Course options

Please see the list of certification course options below. Contact us at 1-888-221-2133 or email us for more information. 

Approved external providers
The Ministry of Health has a list of approved external providers who meet the requirements of certified safe food handler training. Costs vary.
In-Good Hands online course and exam
  • Fifteen online modules plus exam available at www.ingoodhands.ca. Cost varies. 
  • Food Handling Certificate upon successful completion of exam, valid for five years, and recognized by all Ontario health units
  • Certificate and wallet card

In-person course

In-person courses will be offered in the fall. Please check back for details closer to that time.

Challenging the test - for individuals previously certified

If you previously have been certified or received approved food handler education through an external provider and your certification has expired, you can challenge the Food Handler Training Test. You must be able to provide proof of previous certification. If proof cannot be presented, the full certification course will be required.

Prior to challenging the test you can review the Ministry of Health Approved manual, Food Safety: A Guide for Ontario's Food Handlers [PDF]. 

Registration is required to complete the test; walk-in exams are not available. For more information or to complete your exam, email us or call 1-888-221-2133.