The Ministry of Health maintains a list of approved commercial programs that meet the minimum requirements for food handler training and certification. Costs vary.
Safe Food Handling Courses
Ontario Regulation (O. Reg) 493/17: Food Premises requires all food premises, such as restaurants, food trucks, and cafeterias, to have at least one certified safe food handler on-site during operation of the food premises.
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 five 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.
In Good Hands online course and exam
The In Good Hands online course allows you to learn at your own pace at a time and location that is convenient for you. The exam is also taken online.
- Cost varies.
- Upon successful completion, receive a Ministry recognized Food Handling Certificate, which is valid for five years
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, you will be required to complete a full certification course.
Prior to challenging the test you can review the Ministry of Health approved manual, Food Safety: A Guide for Ontario's Food Handlers.
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.
Contact Us
Huron Perth Public Health
Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0
Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca