Certified Food Handler Training
Food Handler Certification is an excellent opportunity to learn the safe way to prepare food. Whether you operate a restaurant, take-out, catering, or mobile food premises, or are working directly with high-risk groups such as children and the elderly, the course is designed to meet the needs of the retail food industry, as well as customers. As per Ontario Regulation 493/17, every operator of a food service premise shall ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.
Ministry of Health approved options (including online options)
OPH will accept certifications issued by the following providers, as well as those issued from any other health unit/authority in Ontario or Canada.
Exam only
Alert: Candidates that would like to challenge the Food Handler Certification Exam must show proof of completion from one of the criteria listed below, within the last year:
- Algonquin College Food Handler Course - Re-challenging the exam
- Food Safety Training - via: high school, college, university education
- Completion of any of the approved Ministry of Health recognized programs
- Completion of the "In Good Hands" on-line course
- If you are a professionally-trained Chef with the appropriate credentials, you may also be eligible to challenge the exam.
Re-certification
Re-certification may be available to those who are currently certified by:
- any Ontario Public Health Unit;
- an approved course by the Ministry of Health
- any Public Health Agency from Canadian provinces and territories
Individuals meeting the above criteria may be eligible to challenge the food handler training exam. Proof of certification is required prior to re-challenging the exam. Individuals who are unable to provide satisfactory proof of certification will not be allowed to challenge the exam.
You have one calendar year from the day of your certification expiry date to re-challenge the exam. For example, if your certification expires on June 14, 2020, you can re-challenge the exam up to June 14, 2021.
If an individual meets the criteria to challenge the food handler training exam, you can attend any of the regularly scheduled Algonquin College Food Handler Certification Exam Only Sessions.