Guidance Document for the
Provincial Food Handler
Training Plan
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
November 2013
Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
Table of Contents
Preamble ............................................................................................................................. 3
Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 3
Disclaimer ........................................................................................................................... 3
Guidance for Board of Health Staff ................................................................................... 4
Food Handler Training Program Requirements ............................................................................................. 4
Online Training ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Provincial Standardized Food Handler Training Examinations ................................................................... 4
Recertification ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Challenge examinations ............................................................................................................................. 4
Online courses ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Provincial Food Handler Certification Card ................................................................................................. 5
Recognition of Non-Board of Health Food Handler Training Certifications ................................................. 5
References .......................................................................................................................... 6
Appendix 1: Food Handler Training Program Requirements – Public Health Units ..... 7
Appendix 2: Reporting Template for the Food Handler Training Program
Requirements – Public Health Units ................................................................................. 9
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
Preamble
The Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS)1 specify the minimum public health programs and
services that all boards of health are required to provide. The OPHS1 are published by the
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care under section 7 of the Health Protection and Promotion
Act (HPPA).2 In addition, the HPPA2 requires that all food premise operators in the province of
Ontario follow specific requirements in order to operate a food premises. The requirements are
set out in the Ontario Food Premises Regulation (562/90).3
The OPHS are supported by incorporated protocols that further delineate expectations for
carrying out the standards’ requirements. The Food Safety Protocol, 2008 (or as current)4 is part
of the Food Safety Program Standard. The purpose of the Food Safety Protocol, 2008 (or as
current)4 is to assist in the prevention and reduction of food-borne illness by providing direction
to boards of health on the delivery of local, comprehensive food safety programs. Food handler
training aims to improve food handler practices to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses. As set
out in section 3)b)i) of the Food Safety Protocol, 2008 (or as current),4 boards of health shall
ensure the availability of food handler training program(s) within the health unit; promote that
for all high- and moderate- risk food premises, there is at least one certified food handler present
at the food premises during all hours of operation; and promote additional training or
recertification for food handlers whose lack of hygiene or inadequate food preparation practices
have been implicated in a food-borne illness or an outbreak.
Purpose
This guidance document outlines how the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan shall be
implemented by boards of health. Specifically, this guidance document will:
A. Provide minimum requirements for food handler training programs delivered by boards of
health, or on behalf of boards of health;
B. Outline requirements for use of standardized food handler training examinations;
C. Outline requirements for the use of the Provincial Food Handler Certification Card and
template; and
D. Provide guidance to boards of health on the acceptance of certifications awarded by nonpublic health unit providers recognized by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term.
Disclaimer
This guidance document is not intended to provide legal advice or to be a substitute for the
professional judgment of staff employed by local boards of health or legal counsel. Professional
staff employed by local boards of health should consult with their manager and/or legal counsel,
as appropriate. Where there is conflict between this guidance document and the Food Safety
Protocol, 2008 (or as current),4 the OPHS,1 the HPPA2 or its regulations, the Food Safety
Protocol, 2008 (or as current),4 OPHS,1 HPPA2 or its regulations, as the case may be, shall
prevail.
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
Guidance for Board of Health Staff
Food Handler Training Program Requirements
All boards of health must meet the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Food Handler
Training Program Requirements – Public Health Units (Appendix 1). Boards of health shall
use the Reporting Template for the Food Handler Training Program Requirements – Public
Health Units (Appendix 2) to report back to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Boards of health that offer food handler training through an agent of the board of health (ex.
community college) shall ensure that the offered course meets the Food Handler Training
Program Requirements – Public Health Units (Appendix 1), and must report this back to the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care using the Reporting Template for the Food Handler
Training Program Requirements – Public Health Units (Appendix 2). As outlined below,
agents of the board of health may not issue the Provincial Food Handler Certification Card.
If any changes are made to a food handler training program offered by a board of health, or by
an agent of the board of health, the Reporting Template for the Food Handler Training
Program Requirements – Public Health Units (Appendix 2) is to be resubmitted to
Environmental.Health@ontario.ca, showing that all requirements continue to be met.
Online Training
Online courses may be used to support local public health programming. In order to be
eligible to meet the Food Handler Training Program Requirements – Public Health Units
(Appendix 1), online courses must meet the requirements outlined for in-class courses, with
the exception of class size.
Provincial Standardized Food Handler Training Examinations
All boards of health will have access to a minimum of three Provincial Standardized Food
Handler Training Examinations. Examinations and answer keys can be accessed through the
Public Health space on the eHealthOntario.ca portal, or another web portal, as communicated
by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Boards of health may choose to use the Provincial Standardized Food Handler Training
Examinations, or may continue to use their own examinations that meet the Food Handler
Training Program Requirements – Public Health Units (Appendix 1).
Recertification
Recertification may be obtained by successfully passing the examination. Although not
required, it is recommended that the candidate retake the course or take a refresher course
prior to challenging the examination.
Challenge examinations
For health units that permit individuals to challenge the food handler training examination
without completing the full food handler training course, setting criteria for who can challenge
the examination should be considered. These criteria may include number of years of
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
experience in the food industry, prior food handler training, and prior food handler
certification.
Online courses
Examinations for online courses must be written in-person, and facilitated by the health unit.
This may include examinations that are proctored by an individual not employed by the health
unit. The administration of the examination for online courses must meet the requirements
outlined in the Food Handler Training Program Requirements – Public Health Units
(Appendix 1).
Provincial Food Handler Certification Card
Beginning October 1, 2013, boards of health shall issue the Provincial Food Handler
Certification Card to all candidates who receive a minimum score of 70% on food handler
training examinations administered by a board of health. The Provincial Food Handler
Certification Card may be issued to successful candidates of courses offered by, or exams
administered by, an agent of the board of health. However, boards of health must directly
issue the Provincial Food Handler Certification Card. Agents of the board of health may not
issue the card.
The template for the Provincial Food Handler Certification Card can be accessed through the
Public Health space on the eHealthOntario.ca portal, or another web portal, as communicated
by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The Provincial Food Handler Certification Card template may not be modified by boards of
health. The Provincial Food Handler Certification Card must be printed on white card stock
and as per the template, which includes predetermined size (89 × 51 mm [3.5 × 2 in]) and
colour.
In addition to the Provincial Food Handler Certification Card, boards of health may choose to
also issue certificates (215.9 mm x 279.4 mm [8.5 × 11 in]) to successful candidates, using the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care-provided certificate template, or a template
developed by the board of health.
Boards of health shall accept food handler certifications issued by other boards of health after
October 1, 2013. Boards of health may choose to accept certifications issued by other boards
of health prior to October 1, 2013, but are not required to do so.
Recognition of Non-Board of Health Food Handler Training Certifications
Non-public health unit providers (commercial/private entities, educational institutions,
organizations, associations, etc.) of food handler training certifications who offer food handler
training and certification may apply to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to be
evaluated against a provincial standard for food handler training certification programs, in
order to be recognized as accepted providers.
Boards of health shall accept food handler certifications awarded by providers recognized by
the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care after September 1, 2013 as valid. Boards of
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
health may choose to accept certifications issued by non-board of health providers prior to
September 1, 2013, but are not required to do so.
Boards of health may also choose to accept certification issued by providers who are not
recognized by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, if the programs are deemed by the
board of health to meet the provincial requirements. This does not apply to providers who
have applied to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and have been deemed by the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to not meet the provincial requirements.
Boards of health may also choose to accept certification issued by other provinces, if the
programs are deemed by the board of health to meet the provincial requirement.
References
1. Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Ontario public health standards 2008.
Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2008 [cited 2013 Jul 05]. Available from:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/ophs_2008.p
df.
2. Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7. Available from
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h07_e.htm.
3. O. Reg. 562/90. Available from
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_900562_e.htm.
4. Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Food Safety Protocol, 2013. Toronto, ON:
Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2013. Available from
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/food_safety.p
df.
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
Appendix 1: Food Handler Training
Program Requirements – Public Health Units
Table 1: Materials and Content
Materials and Content
The Provincial Food Handler Training Manual is being used, as provided
OR
The Provincial Food Handler Training Manual is being used in part, to ensure the minimum
course content below is covered.
OR
The health unit is using its own training manual, which includes the following minimum
course content:
• Role of the board of health
• Public health legislation and regulations
• Outline of food safety management principles (including HACCP-based principles)
• Safe handling, preparation, and storage (including basic microbiology, safe food
supplies, adverse reactions to food, safe food preparation/storage)
• Food handler hygiene
• Food premises sanitation, design, and maintenance
• Prevention of food allergies, incidents and response
Table 2: Availability, Communication and Promotion
Availability, Communication and Promotion
In-class food handler training program(s) are available in the health unit.*
Program(s) may be delivered directly by the public health unit and/or by an agent of the
public health unit (ex. community college).
The availability of food handler training program(s) is promoted through the public health
unit website.
Information on the public health unit website includes:
• Description of program(s)
• Registration information
• Delivery options
• Certification / recertification requirements
• Contact information to obtain further details/information
• Link to Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care list of non-public health unit providers
recognized by the ministry (under development)
* Online courses may be eligible to meet this requirement.
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
Table 3: Delivery
Delivery
Course material is available in both English and French.
Maximum class size of 25 students per instructor.
Course is a minimum of one full day, including exam.
A manual and/or workbook(s) is provided to each student.
Exam:
• Closed-book
• Minimum of 50 questions
• Pass rate of 70%
• If Provincial Standardized Food Handler Training Examinations are not used, questions
pre-tested to ensure learning objectives are met
• If Provincial Standardized Food Handler Training Examinations are not used, question
bank with sufficient number of potential questions, to ensure randomization
• Security and integrity of exams maintained, through measures such as counting and
matching examinations to attendees, proper identification of attendees, protecting the
examinations from loss or other confidentiality breaches
Certification:
• Provincial Food Handler Certification Card is issued within 15 business days of
successful completion of course and exam
• Certification expires five years after date of issue
• Inventory of public health unit course participants is maintained, including name of
participant, date of course, exam result, and date of expiry
Table 4: Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
All food handler training programs offered by public health units or by agents of public
health units must:
• Use clear language
• Be inclusive of cultural, disability, and gender differences
• Provide accurate and current content
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
Appendix 2: Reporting Template for the Food Handler Training
Program Requirements – Public Health Units
Table1: Materials and Content
Materials and Content
Please select one of the following options.
 The Provincial Food Handler Training Manual is being used, as provided.
 The Provincial Food Handler Training Manual is being used in part, to ensure the
minimum course content below is covered.
 The health unit is using its own training manual, which includes the following minimum
course content:
• Role of the board of health
• Public health legislation and regulations
• Outline of food safety management principles (including HACCP-based principles)
• Safe handling, preparation, and storage (including basic microbiology, safe food
supplies, adverse reactions to food, safe food preparation/storage)
• Food handler hygiene
• Food premises sanitation, design, and maintenance
• Prevention of food allergies, incidents and response
Table 2: Availability, Communication and Promotion
Availability, Communication and Promotion
In-class food handler training program(s) are available in the health unit.*
Program(s) may be delivered directly by the public health unit and/or by
an agent of the public health unit (ex. community college).
The availability of food handler training program(s) is promoted through
the public health unit website.
Information on the public health unit website includes:
• Description of program(s)
• Registration information
• Delivery options
• Certification / recertification requirements
• Contact information to obtain further details/information
• Link to Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care list of non-public health
unit providers recognized by the ministry (under development)
Requirement
Met? (Y/N)
N/A
* Online courses may be eligible to meet this requirement. Please contact the Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care if no in-class option is offered by, or on behalf of, your
public health unit.
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Guidance Document for the Provincial Food Handler Training Plan
Table 3: Delivery
Delivery
Course material is available in both English and French.
Maximum class size of 25 students per instructor.
Course is a minimum of one full day, including exam.
A manual and/or workbook(s) is provided to each student.
Exam:
• Closed-book
• Minimum of 50 questions
• Pass rate of 70%
• If Provincial Standardized Food Handler Training Examinations are not
used, questions pre-tested to ensure learning objectives are met
• If Provincial Standardized Food Handler Training Examinations are not
used, question bank with sufficient number of potential questions, to
ensure randomization
• Security and integrity of exams maintained, through measures such as
counting and matching examinations to attendees, proper identification
of attendees, protecting the examinations from loss or other
confidentiality breaches
Certification:
• Provincial Food Handler Certification Card is issued within 15 business
days of successful completion of course and exam
• Certification expires five years after date of issue
• Inventory of public health unit course participants is maintained,
including name of participant, date of course, exam result, and date of
expiry
Requirement
Met? (Y/N)
Table 4: Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
All food handler training programs offered by public health units or by agents of public
health units must:
• Use clear language
• Be inclusive of cultural, disability, and gender differences
• Provide accurate and current content
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Catalogue No. 018392 ISBN 978-1-4606-2982-6 (PDF) November 2013 © Queen’s Printer for Ontario 2013