Who needs a food handler certificate? It seems like an easy question with an obvious answer. However, determining who truly needs a food handler certificate is a little more involved. In most food businesses, this requirement applies to a wider range of employees than one might initially think.
Anyone who handles unpackaged food, touches food, touches surfaces that are in contact with food, or works in a situation or role where poor hygiene and unsafe practices could contaminate food is advised to complete food handler training and this is a requirement in many states. More specifically, this might involve prep cooks and line cooks as well as servers, bartenders, dishwashers, bakery staff, baristas, buffet attendants and even bussers.
Is a food handler certificate only required for cooks? No. Cooks are rarely the only workers who are recommended to complete food handler training.
Examples of Kitchen Workers Who May Need a Food Handler Certificate
Prep workers chop veggies and portion raw meat. Servers will likely have direct contact with condiment containers. They also typically add garnishes and carry ready-to-eat items. Bartenders handle drink garnishes, ice and glassware, all of which come in direct contact with the ingredients in a customer’s order. Deli workers and grocery employees also present risks as they handle exposed food throughout the day, from unloading to shelving. Dishwashers and bussers are responsible for cleaning utensils, cutting boards and containers which will be in direct contact with ingredients with the next serving.
If any of these employees is not properly trained or fails to understand the consequences of improper food handling, the results could directly affect your other employees and patrons. Improper food handling can spread of bacteria and viruses or cause allergen cross-contact, and this could lead to consequences that are much worse than damage to your business’ reputation.
Health department officials are quick to respond with violations, fines and possibly the temporary closure of your business. With so many people handling food from kitchen to table, the potential for contamination is considerable. This is why food handler certification requirements can extend beyond cooks.
State and Local Health Departments Also Have a Say
Here’s a not-so-fun fact. Did you know that your state and local health departments also have a say when it comes to who needs a food handler certificate? This means that certificate requirements can change from state to state and even city to city.
There’s no single nationwide rule on who, exactly, must hold a food handler certificate in restaurants and food venues. The Food Code, which is published by the FDA, does provide a model for local governments to draw from, but each jurisdiction adopts and enforces these rules according to its own standards. While one city or state might require nearly all frontline food employees to be certified, others might only call for certified managers who then provide general employee training.
Still, it should be noted that a pattern emerges. When food handler training is required, it typically means that this training is not just for cooks. The overall focus when it comes to being food handler certified is to prevent contamination from back of house to front and then back again. With this in mind, it should be clear that a safe kitchen is dependent on more than just the cook.
Why Food Handler Certificates for Cooks and Others Matter
Food handler training is not just a box to check for those pesky and inquisitive health department officials. A properly trained and certified employee will be taught how to prepare for the day, how to wash hands correctly, how illness spreads through food, how to prevent cross-contamination and how to properly sanitize surfaces, plates and utensils.
While this all sounds very basic, you might be surprised just how easy it is for a business to succumb to misfortune if even one of those employees misses a beat and inadvertently contaminates a kitchen. A single lapse by an untrained worker can lead to a foodborne illness, customer complaints and failed inspections. All that’s needed is a very small amount of a food allergen and those dominoes of consequence start to fall.
For those who need a food handler certificate, it’s also worth noting that proper training helps to create a culture of cooperation and overall responsibility in the workplace. If a properly trained front-of-house or back-of-house worker notices an oversight by a newbie, he or she is more likely to step in and correct with a helpful correction. The old saying about how a rising tide lifts all boats is applicable when it comes to understanding who truly needs a food handler certificate and why.
American Course Academy can help you get certified quickly and affordably. We are proud to offer flexible, online, state-approved food handler training that can easily work around your busy schedule. We also offer discounts for bulk training, making it easier for employers and employees alike to acquire up-to-date training from anywhere, anytime.
Are you ready to take your hospitality game to the next level? Check out our expanding list of states we currently offer food handler training in and enroll in minutes. We also invite you to take a look at our 5-star rating and reviews.
