Food Safety Courses

The Food Handler Certification Program teaches food handlers about food safety. During the course, food handlers learn about food safety laws and ways to handle food safely, including how to properly store, prepare, cook and serve food to prevent food poisoning.

Ways to Become a Certified Food Handler

To become a certified food handler, you can:

After taking the course, food handlers write an exam. You must get a mark of 70% or higher to receive a certificate. The safe food handler certificate is valid for 5 years. 

CK Public Health Food Safety Course

CK Public Health offers food safety courses throughout the year at a cost of $40. The course is open to anyone who wants to become a certified food handler. This is a one-day, in-class course taught by a public health inspector. Click here for our 2024 schedule. Register here.

Online Course
  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit offers a free online food safety course. You can sign up here.
    • Note: once you’ve completed this online course, you must take the exam in-person during CK Public Health’s  Drop-in Exam times at a cost of $10 (cash only)
Other Approved Courses

You can find a list of all food safety course providers approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care here. The cost of these courses vary.

Self-Study

You can study the course material at home and write the exam during drop-in hours at the CK Public Health office. Download the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Food Handler Training Manual here. You can also pick up a copy at CK Public Health for $5 or check a manual out at a CK Public Library. Find food handler course exam drop-in hours here.

Questions

For questions about the food handler course, contact CK Public Health. A public health inspector will follow up with you.