California Food Safety

State and County governments, along with their dedicated Health Inspectors, establish rigorous standards for restaurants to prioritze the safety of both customers and staff. 

They set these standards through the development and implementation of specific training, education, and certification initiatives.

These measures foster a culture of food safety professionalism among restaurant employees, ensuring they are well-versed in best practices for maintaining a safe and healthy dining environment.

What is a Food Handler Card?

Food Handler Cards, certifications for food handlers, demonstrate that they’ve successfully completed food safety training and passed a test on essential food safety principles. 

The Food Handler Card establishes that a food service worker understands the proper methods for handling food, preventing foodborne illnesses, and maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment. By obtaining a Food Handler Card, food service workers equip themselves better to protect their health, their coworkers', and customers' safety.

‍The California Food Handler Card

California law requires that all food handlers in the state have a California Food Handler Card. All employees involved in preparing, managing inventory, or serving food at a food facility must obtain a food handler card within 30 days of their hire date. Those who work in San Diego county have 10 days of their first day of employment to get a card. 

These food facilities include restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, delis, mobile food facilities, and even kiosks. As of 2011, violation of this law is punishable by a fine of up to $100 for each day of operation in violation.

California Food Handler Cards are usually administered by an authorized agency like a local health department or through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). They’re valid throughout the state of California except in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, which have their own requirements. 

In Sonoma California, home of multiple Michelin-star restaurants, the County of Sonoma’s Department of Health Services provides a concise guide for restaurants and workers detailing the process.

The County lists exactly who needs to get a Food Handler Card:

• Wait staff
• Chefs
• Cooks
• Bartenders
• Host/hostesses that handle food
• Bussers
• Supervisors and managers
• Food warehouse staff

Exemptions, according to CRA, includes:

• Certified farmers markets
• Commissaries
• Grocery stores, except for separately owned food facilities
• Licensed healthcare facilities
• Mobile support units
• Public and private school cafeterias
• Restricted food service facilities
• Retail stores where a majority of sales are from a pharmacy
• Volunteers
• Snack bars located in facilities where the majority of sales are from admission tickets
• Elderly nutrition programs, and
• City, County, and State detention facilities (jails, juvenile hall, camp, ranch, etc.)

Do Food Handler Cards Expire?

Food Handler Cards typically need to be renewed every few years, depending on state and local regulations, to ensure that food service workers stay up-to-date on the latest food safety guidelines and practices.

In California, Food Handler Cards must be renewed every three years, requiring food handlers to repeat the certification process to ensure their card remains valid.

‍How to Get a California Food Handler Certificate

1. Register & Train: Complete a California food handler training course that is approved by the California Department of Public Health. Employees can take this course online or in person. There are many training providers available, and the course generally takes less than two hours to complete.
2. Pass the Exam: After completing the training course, staff will need to pass a test on the course material. They can take the exam twice without additional charges. This test can be taken online or in person, and they’ll need to achieve a score of at least 70% to pass. 
3. Print the Card: Once they’ve passed the test (congratulations!), they’ll receive a Food Handler Card to download and print at home. If they don’t have access to a printer they can email their certificate to a local library or print shop, reach out to their employer for options, or in some cases, pay an additional fee to have it mailed. The card will include their name, issue date, confirmation number, and the expiration date.

‍Where to Find an Accredited California Food Handler Certificate Program

Employees need to attend a California Food Handler Card class – typically online and costing less than $15 – accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 

Some Accredited California Handler Certificate Issuers include:

• 1 AAA Food Handler
• 123 Premier Food Safety
• A Plus Food Training L.L.C.
• ACE Food Handler

View the full list of ANSI certificate issuers here.

2024 California Food Handler Update for Employers

Starting January 1, 2024, California law SB 476 requires food service employers to cover their employee’s costs and fees associated with food handler card training. 

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