Food handler training and certification

Overview

In Ontario, food premises are required to have at least one certified food handler on site during every hour that the food premises operates. Food safety training is an important part of protecting customers from health risks that occur during the handling, preparing and cooking of food.

How to get a Food Handler Certificate

In Ontario, food handler training is provided by:

• local public health units, or
• certain approved commercial providers

To determine what food handler training courses are available in your area contact your local public health unit or review the list of available commercial programs below to receive  food handling training and certification.

Approved commercial programs

The programs listed below have applied and successfully been recognized by the Ministry of Health as meeting minimum requirements for food handler training and certification. These Food Handler Training programs are deemed to be equivalent to the training and certification offered by local public health units. All public health units in Ontario will accept certifications issued by these providers after the date that they are listed as equivalent.

Become a recognized Food Handler Training provider

To become a recognized food handler training provider in Ontario, organizations must apply to the Ministry of Health. The ministry will evaluate your application for equivalency with the provincial standard. Successful applications will be granted provincial recognition to offer food handler training in Ontario.

Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants, include non-public health units, such as:

• commercial or private entities
• educational institutions
• non-profit associations

Training programs that meet the requirements set out in the application and evaluation process will become recognized providers of Food Handler Training by all boards of health within Ontario.

We accept applications twice a year in Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.

How to apply

To apply for food handler training and certification program recognition, providers must submit the following for evaluation:

• a completed Food Handler Program Equivalency Application form
• relevant course materials
• requested documentation related to the course development and delivery

Evaluation

We evaluate applications in accordance with standard program requirements and for overall course quality.

After we evaluate your application, additional requirements, modifications or changes to the proposed program may be necessary to get recognition.

Fee

There is no fee to apply or become a recognized provider.

Contact us

Email us if you are an eligible applicant that is interested in submitting their course to us.  Use the subject line, "Submit my food handler training course".

Guide to starting a home-based food business

This is a step-by-step guide to starting a home-based food business, along with a brief overview of public health requirements that must be followed as a food operator.

• Guide to Starting a Home-based Food Business