Who needs a California Food Handler’s Training Card?

All food handler service individuals working in California facilities who are involved in preparing, storing, or handling food are required to obtain Food Handler Training.

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As of July 1, 2011, Senate Bill 602 requires, every California food handler who is involved in the preparation, storage or service of food in a food facility has to take a California state-certified food handler course and pass an authorized test.

The SB 303 bill made technical changes to the Food Handler Card Law requiring training providers to be accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

This includes food handlers that work in restaurants, cafes, bakeries, delis, mobile vendors, food trucks, bars, kiosks, convenience stores, and other food service employees.

Examples of California food service employees required to obtain a Food Handler Card include: chefs, cooks, mobile food vendors, bartenders, host/hostesses that handle food, caterers, supervisors and food managers.

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Why is food safety training important in California?

  • Food safety has been an important issue in the restaurant industry for decades. Foodborne illnesses are still a major problem in the United States. The CDC estimates that each year 9.4 million Americans get sick, more than 55,900 are hospitalized, and a shocking 1,351 people die from foodborne illnesses just from known pathogens.
  • The top 3 causes of foodborne illness attributed to food service handlers are: poor personal hygiene, improper holding temperatures, improper cooling procedures.
  • Since the majority of foodborne illnesses are attributed to food service handlers, and the top contributing factors are related to handlers behavior, the importance of the training food handlers receive is critical

California Food Manager Course & ANSI Certification

  • The California Food Manager Course provides the necessary training leading up to the Food Manager Certification Exam. This course covers food safety issues, regulations, and techniques to maintain a food-safe environment. The ANSI Certification exam is scheduled online and must be proctored at a 3rd party test center location.

Los Angeles, California Local Food Safety Training Requirements

Los Angeles Food Managers: There shall be at least one Certified Food Safety Manager (CFPM) person at each food facility. Los Angeles County (LAC) Environmental Health (EH) recommends more than one person. Certification is valid for 5 years.
Los Angeles Food Handlers: A Food Handler Card (CFH Card) is required by all food employees
who are involved in the preparation, storage, or service of food in a food facility.
County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Environmental Health
5050 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(626) 430-5200