Mandatory Food Handler Certification

As of July 2018, the Ontario Food Premises Regulation 493/17 requires all food service premises to have a certified food handler onsite at all times.

A food service premises is any food premises where meals or meal portions are prepared for immediate consumption or sold or served in a form that will permit immediate consumption on the premises or elsewhere.

Here are few examples that would fall under this category:

• Banquet halls
• Child care centres
• Convenience stores that sell potentially hazardous food items
• Delis
• Food take-out
• Recreational camps
• Restaurants
• Supermarkets
• Special event vendors

Food handler certification obtained through York Region’s YorkSafe Food Handler Certification course, other Ontario health unit programs or external programs deemed equivalent by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will be accepted under the new Regulation. For a full list of Ministry equivalent courses, see the External Resources section below.

Ontario Food Premises Regulation 493/17

Food Handler Certification Program

The YorkSafe Food Handler Certification program teaches you how to safely prepare, store and serve food.

You may participate in a one-day workshop facilitated by a Public Health Inspector or purchase the materials to study on your own. Online interactive learning modules are also available, allowing you to study at your own pace. For the online courses, exams must be written in person. When registering for our online course, please note that you will have to register and pay separately for the exam.

Using the link below, you can register for the workshops, download the online learning modules and complete your studies independently.

An exam mark of 70 per cent is required to pass and become certified.

Certification is valid for five years and recognized across Ontario.

NOTE: Workshops or exam sessions can be arranged for groups of 10 or more at your place of business. For more information, please contact Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.

Reasons to use the Service

Benefits of the YorkSafe Food Handler Certification program:

• Become trained and certified in food handling
• Learn how to prevent food-borne illnesses
• Obtain a provincially recognized certificate employers value

NOTE: YorkSafe Proof of Inspection Signs identify if a food establishment had at least one certified food handler onsite at the time of inspection.

Eligibility

The YorkSafe Food Handler Certification program is available to anyone who is interested in food safety or in becoming a certified food handler.

The online learning modules are only available to those that live and work in York Region. For more information please email Health.Inspectors@york.ca.

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Related Resources

• Food Safety Resources

External Resources

• Global Food Safety Resource Centre - information on food safety standards and practices
• Ministry of Health and Long Term Care – full list of equivalent courses
• MOHLTC food handler certification manual - French