The Food Handler Certification Program teaches food handlers the general principles of safe food handling, including topics such as public health legislation, food microbiology and food allergies, temperature control, cross-contamination and personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, etc.
Important Update: Please note the Middlesex-London Health Unit is no longer offering food handler certification courses or tests. For current certification options please see Courses.
If you have questions about Food Handler Certification options, please contact us:
(1) To increase knowledge and improve food safety.
The Food Handler Certification Program is designed to teach food handlers the general principles of safe food handling. Course topics include:
(2) To meet legal requirements.
Ontario Food Premises Regulation - As of July 1, 2018 there is a requirement to have a certified food handler on-site in food service premises. Ontario Food Premises Regulation (O. Reg. 493/17) states:
Every operator of a food service premise shall ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.
“food service premise” means any food premise where meals or meal portions are prepared for immediate consumption or sold or served in a form that will permit immediate consumption on the premises or elsewhere.
(3) Local By-Laws
In addition, Food Premises Inspection and Mandatory Food Handler Training By-laws are in effect in the City of London and in all municipalities in Middlesex County. The by-laws state:
The operator of a food premises where hazardous food is prepared must ensure that there is at all times, when the food premises is operating, at least one Certified Food Handler who is supervising the preparation, processing, packaging, service or storage of food.
Visit Food Safety Laws for more details about the by-laws.
If you would like to take a course, please contact one of the course providers below. NOTE: Food handler courses are not offered by the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
Some people prefer to study for food handler certification on their own time. A free copy of a food handler manual / study material is available in English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Russian or Spanish.
Please e-mail inspections@mlhu.on.ca with the subject line: Food Handler Manual to request a copy of the manual and indicate which language you are requesting.
The food handler certification test can be written at the London Training Centre, or another public health unit. Please check the availabililty of test languages directly with the chosen test location.
Food handler certification tests can be written if you have finished self study, or do not require any study materials. Options:
(1) London Training Centre
Please contact the London Training Centre for the safe food handling test challenge.
(2) Public Health Units
For information about taking the test at another public health unit, please contact the public health unit directly.
Food handler certificates issued by the Middlesex-London Health Unit:
Lost or Misplaced Certificate
Food handler certificates are valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Before your food handler certificate expires, you should get recertified in one of the following ways:
