Provincial Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is a critical step in ensuring that food industry workers understand how to safely handle food, prevent contamination and protect public health. 

Food Handler Certification requirements in Canada will vary from one province to the next, which can lead to some confusion for food industry staff. This blog breaks down the certification rules for each province or territory in Canada to help you determine what is required in your region.

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia

Northwest Territories

Nunavut

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Yukon

CIFS Food Handler Certification Course

Why Food Handler Certification Matters

Food Handler Certification demonstrates that food industry professionals have the knowledge and skills to maintain food safety standards. This certification is required by law for those working in food service, retail and manufacturing industries in most provinces.

Certification ensures that Food Handlers understand proper hygiene practices, safe food storage techniques and how to prevent food-borne illnesses, such as E. coli and Listeria. This helps protect customers and maintain the reputation of food businesses.

Food safety regulations differ from province to province, read on to learn more about the requirements in your province or territory. More detailed information can be found in the CIFS Guide to Canadian Food Safety Training.

Food Handler Certification in Alberta

Alberta Food Safety Legislation

Alberta Food Regulation (section 31) requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

To receive certification, Food Handlers are required to complete an Alberta approved Food Handler Certification course.

At a minimum, Alberta food businesses must comply with the following legislation relating to Food Handler training:

• If there are five or fewer Food Handlers (including waiting staff) working on the premises, then there must be at least one person with a valid Food Handler Certificate who works for the business. The person who holds the Food Handler Certificate is not required to be present.
• If there are six or more Food Handlers (including waiting staff) working on the premises, then at least one person must have a valid Food Handler Certificate. The person(s) who holds the Food Handler Certificate must be a member of management or hold a supervisory position and be present in the business.

Businesses that do not meet the minimum Food Handler Certification requirements are at risk of being fined.

Alberta Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is a legal requirement for many Alberta food workers, however, best practice is to certify every staff member who handles food in a business. Having the entire workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps to reduce the risk of a food-borne illness outbreak being caused by the business.

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the Alberta Government. Food Handler Certification renewal is recommended every five years.

Food Handler Certification in British Columbia

British Columbia Food Safety Legislation

British Columbia’s Food Premises Regulation (section 10) under the Public Health Act requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

To receive Food Handler Certification, Food Handlers are required to complete a British Columbia approved food safety training course.

At a minimum, food businesses in British Columbia must comply with the following legislation:

• Every operator of a food business must hold an approved food safety training certificate.
• Whenever the operator of a food business is absent from the premises, at least one employee must be present who holds an approved food safety training certificate.

Most special events, temporary food establishments and community events typically require a Food Premises Operating permit and must also follow regulatory requirements. Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

British Columbia Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is a legal requirement for many British Columbia food workers, but it is best practice to certify every staff member who handles food in a business. Having the entire workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps to reduce the risk of a food-borne illness outbreak being caused by the business.

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the British Columbia Government. Food Safety Certification requires renewal every five years to remain valid.

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a British Columbia business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Manitoba

Manitoba Food Safety Legislation

Food businesses in Manitoba are required to follow the food safety standards in the Manitoba Food and Food Handling Establishments Regulation, under the Public Health Act. Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Winnipeg Food Safety Legislation

In addition to provincial food safety laws, the City of Winnipeg has additional food safety training requirements. Winnipeg’s Food Safety By-Law (Number 5160/89, Sections 5.6, 5.7, 5.8) requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

To receive Food Handler Certification, Food Handlers are required to complete an approved food safety training course.

At a minimum, Winnipeg food businesses must comply with the following legislation:

• To operate a food business, the person in charge must successfully complete an approved Food Handler Certification training program.
• When there are more than five employees on duty at one time, one person in charge who has Food Handler Certification must be present during all operating hours.
• The on-duty person in charge shall post their Food Handler Certificate in a prominent place in the food service establishment.

Manitoba Food Handler Certification Requirements

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved by the Manitoba Government. Food Handler Certification renewal is recommended every five years.

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a Manitoba business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in New Brunswick

New Brunswick Food Safety Legislation

In New Brunswick, a licensee who operates a Class 4 food premises must ensure:

• The manager of the food premises holds a valid Food Handler Certificate.
• There is at least one certified Food Handler present in food preparation areas at all times that food is being prepared.

A Class 4 food premises is defined as a place where:

• Food is prepared or processed without killing or pasteurizing
• Meat or fish is being prepared or processed without thermal processing
• Food is for sale and is consumed on or off the premises but is not distributed wholesale

New Brunswick food premises must comply with section 39 of the New Brunswick Food Premises Regulation.

New Brunswick Food Handler Certification Requirements

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the New Brunswick Government. Food Handler Certification renewal is recommended every five years.

Food Handler Certification in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)

Newfoundland and Labrador Food Safety Legislation

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Food Premises Regulations under the Food Premises Act requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

To receive Food Handler Certification, Food Handlers are required to complete a Food Handler Certification course approved by the NL Department of Health and Community Services (HCS).

At a minimum, food business operators must have at least one employee on their premises during all hours of operation who has completed Food Handler Certification training. Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Newfoundland and Labrador Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is a legal requirement for most Newfoundland and Labrador food workers, but it is best practice to certify every staff member who handles food in a business. Having the entire workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps to reduce the risk of a food-borne illness outbreak being caused by the business.

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the NL Department of Health and Community Services (HCS).

Food safety training certificates in Newfoundland and Labrador must be current and valid, in accordance with provincial laws. Food safety certificates require renewal every five years.

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a Newfoundland and Labrador business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Northwest Territories (NWT)

Northwest Territories Food Safety Legislation

NWT Food Establishment Safety Regulations (section 37) requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

At a minimum, Northwest Territories food businesses must comply with the following legislation:

• The operator of a food business is required to have Food Handler Certification. If the operator is not present, one employee present is required to have Food Handler Certification.
• Upon inspection, the operator or employee is required to produce their Food Handler Certificate(s).

Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Northwest Territories Food Handler Certification Requirements

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the NWT Government.

Food Safety Certification renewal is recommended every five years.

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a Northwest Territory business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Food Safety Legislation

Nova Scotia’s Food Safety Regulations (section 28) under the Health Protection Act requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

To receive Food Handler Certification, Food Handlers are required to complete a Nova Scotia approved Food Handler training course.

At a minimum, Nova Scotia food businesses must comply with the following legislation:

• The operator of a food business must successfully complete a food safety training course recognized by the Nova Scotia Government.
• If the operator is absent from the premises, another staff member must be present who has completed a recognized course - there must be a trained person on the premises at all times during food preparation and serving.
• Any person in a food establishment that comes into contact with food must:
• Be trained in food safety to a level appropriate to the activity that the person performs.
• Provide confirmation of food safety training to an inspector on request.

Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Nova Scotia Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is a legal requirement for many Nova Scotia food workers, but it is best practice to certify every staff member who handles food in a business. Having the entire workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps to reduce the risk of a food-borne illness outbreak being caused by the business.

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the Nova Scotia Government. Food Handler Certification requires renewal every five years in order to remain valid.

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a Nova Scotia business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Nunavut

Nunavut Food Safety Legislation

Territorial food safety laws are set by Nunavut’s Public Health Act.

Nunavut’s Public Health Act (Part 4, Section 23.3) states that any person who distributes, sells or serves food to the public, an institution or a camp must provide food that’s safe for human consumption by:

• Maintaining the premises and transport vehicles under clean and sanitary conditions.
• Taking reasonable measures to prevent contamination of the food.
• Taking reasonable measures to protect the public from other food-related health hazards.

Businesses or people who prepare or sell country food in Nunavut should follow the guidelines in “Serving Country Food in Government-Funded Facilities and Community Programs”.

These guidelines were created by the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Food Security Coalition.

Nunavut Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is best practice for food businesses. However, best practice is to certify anyone that handles food in a business. Having the workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps to meet food safety legal requirements in areas such as:

• Time and temperature control
• Personal hygiene
• Food contamination
• Cleaning and sanitizing

Food Handler Certification in Ontario

Ontario Food Safety Legislation

Ontario’s Food Premises Regulations (section 32) under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

To receive Food Handler Certification, Food Handlers are required to complete an Ontario approved Food Handler Certification course.

At a minimum, food business operators must have at least one employee on their premises during all hours of operation who has completed Food Handler Certification training.

Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Ontario Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is a legal requirement for many Ontario food workers, but it is best practice to certify every staff member who handles food in a business. Having the entire workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps to reduce the risk of a food-borne illness outbreak being caused by the business.

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the Ontario Government. Food Handler Certification renewal is required every five years.

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of an Ontario business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Prince Edward Island Food Safety Legislation

Prince Edward Island’s Food Premises Regulation (section 24) requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

At a minimum, Prince Edward Island food businesses must comply with the following legislation:

• The business licence holder is required to complete a Food Handler Certification course.
• When the licence holder is absent from the business, at least one employee with Food Handler Certification must be present.
• Any person who comes into contact with food or food contact surfaces is required to receive food safety training or instruction.
• Food Handler Certificates need to be produced for public health officials during an inspection.

Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Prince Edward Island Food Handler Certification Requirements

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the PEI Government. Food Safety Certification requires renewal every five years to remain valid. 

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a Prince Edward Island business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Quebec

Quebec Food Safety Legislation

Quebec’s Food Regulation (sections 1.3.1.2.1 and 2.2.4) requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler, Food Establishment Manager and tailored training. 

At a minimum, Quebec food businesses must comply with the following legislation:  

• The operator of a food business is required to have Food Establishment Manager training before applying for a business licence.
• One employee or 10% of the operator's workforce is required to have Food Handler training.
• The operator is required to have a record of training certificates for all current employees and past employees who have worked in the last 12 months.
  

Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Quebec Food Handler Certification Requirements

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the Quebec Government. Food Safety Certification requires renewal every five years to remain valid. 

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a Saskatchewan business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Food Safety Legislation

Saskatchewan Food Safety Regulations (division 3, section 26) requires food businesses to employ staff that have obtained Food Handler Certification.

To receive Food Handler Certification, Food Handlers are required to complete a Saskatchewan approved food safety training course.

At a minimum, Saskatchewan food businesses must comply with the following legislation:

• A person who has completed an approved food safety training course must be on the premises of a food business whenever food is being prepared or served.
• Local authorities may require operators or additional employees to complete an approved food safety training course if the facility is deemed to be operating in a way that may endanger public health.
• The operator of a food business must ensure that all employees are adequately trained in food safety.

Businesses that do not meet the minimum requirements are at risk of being fined.

Saskatchewan Food Handler Certification Requirements

Food Handler Certification is a legal requirement for many Saskatchewan food workers, but it is best practice to certify every staff member who handles food in a business. Having the entire workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps to reduce the risk of a food-borne illness outbreak being caused by the business

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is approved and accepted by the Saskatchewan Government. Food Safety Certification renewal is recommended every five years to remain valid.

If a Certified Food Handler unexpectedly resigns or is not present during an inspection of a Saskatchewan business, inspectors may choose to penalize that business.

Food Handler Certification in Yukon

Yukon Food Safety Legislation

Yukon’s Food Retail and Food Services Code (section 6) states that staff employed by a food business operator should possess a government-approved Food Handler Certification.

At a minimum, Yukon food businesses should comply with the following legislation:

• All employees must be trained in food hygiene and be able to handle food in a safe and sanitary manner.
• For some managers/operators, training in a recognized food safety course may be mandatory.
• Operators should promote food safety education through ongoing training, which may include additional instruction, on-the-job training, food safety certification from a recognized program provider and employee meetings.

Yukon Food Handler Certification Requirements

The CIFS Food Handler Certification course is suitable for training Food Handlers in Yukon.

Having the workforce complete a Food Handler Certification course helps ensure that a business is never the cause of a food-borne illness outbreak. Food Handler Certification should be renewed every five years.

CIFS Food Handler Certification Course

The CIFS Food Handler Certification Course fulfills the specific requirements set out by Canadian food safety legislation and is recognized by every province and territory. 

This online course is split into four distinct learning modules:

Module 1: Understanding Food Safety

Module 2: Preventing Food-Borne Illness

Module 3: Working with Food Safety

Module 4: Managing Your Food Safety Plan

Each module is designed to provide you with the knowledge required to identify food safety hazards, understand how they occur and ensure safe food handling to prevent them from impacting consumer safety. A full breakdown of the course curriculum can be found here.

Begin your certification journey today by enrolling in the CIFS Food Handler Certification Course, or get in touch with our team to discover all the benefits this course has to offer!