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Food Handler Training Course

Food Handler Certification

As of July 1, 2018 Ontario Regulation 493/17 Food Premises requires that each food premises has a least one (1) certified food handler or supervisor present at all times during hours of operation.

The following food handler training options are currently available:

In-Person Courses

Scent Sensitivity at Health Unit Offices

Many people are sensitive to perfumes, colognes, aftershaves and other scented products. Please be considerate of this while at Health Unit offices.

Brockville Office Site

  • Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Smiths Falls Office Site

  • Tuesday, October 22, 2024
  • Tuesday, December 10, 2024

The cost of the course is $50 per person.

Registration is limited to 25 people per class. Registration will be at 8:30am and courses run from 9:00am to 4:00pm including the exam and with a half hour for lunch. 

To register, email [email protected] or call us at 1-800-660-5853 to book your class now.

Online Learning Options

In Good Hands

  • In Good Hands is an all-in-one training course with the exam provided at the end.
  • Training may be completed on a mobile device (phone or tablet) or laptop/desktop computer. 
  • Please note to complete the exam portion of the training you must have access to a laptop/desktop computer with a webcam and microphone.
  • As the Health Unit is not associated with In Good Hands please contact In Good Hands directly with any technical issues or if you have not received/missed placed your certificate at 1-866-287-8828

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Home-study Learning Options

Once you have completed one of the two (2) options below you will then need to contact the Health Unit at 1-800-660-5853 to schedule a date for your exam. The cost associated with writing the exam is $25.00.

Home-study Manual

Purchase Home-study Manual

  • You may purchase a manual from the Brockville or Smiths Falls Health Unit office for $20.00
  • Included with the manual is a printout of the ‘Food Handler Training Home-Study Review’ questions which must be completed and returned to the Health Unit prior to writing the exam. Review questions may be submitted by email at [email protected], fax 613-345-7148, or you may bring them in with you on the day of your exam.   

Exam

A minimum grade of 70% must be achieved on a standardized closed book multiple choice exam in order to obtain your food handler certificate. 

Picture ID is required to take the exam. This certificate is accepted by all health units in Ontario and is valid for five (5) years.

What Topics Are Covered in this Course?

The topics that are covered within this course include:

  • Introduction to Food Safety and Legislation
  • Food-borne Illness
  • Microorganisms
  • Conditions Bacteria Require for Growth (FATTOM)
  • Allergens
  • Safe Food Handling
  • Understanding Cross-contamination
  • Receiving and Storage
  • Safe Food Service
  • Food Handler Hygiene
  • Cleaning and Sanitizing
  • Pest Control
  • Keeping Food Safe During Emergencies
  • HACCP Food Safety Management