The food we eat can contain germs and foreign materials that can result in injury, illness and even death. Reducing this risk requires closely regulated prevention efforts.
Food workers, ranging from entry-level servers to facility managers, often require specialized education. This article discusses the requirements for obtaining food safety certification online.
Why Is Food Safety Important?
Unsafe products may contain harmful chemical substances or organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites. Foodborne illnesses can also place a burden on health care systems or harm tourism and trade. A close collaboration between governments, dining establishments and consumers is essential for maintaining public health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 600 million people, or about 10 percent of the world's population, fall ill from eating contaminated products each year, causing 420,000 deaths. Children are especially vulnerable.
The estimated annual loss in medical expenses and lost productivity for low- and middle-income countries is about $110 billion.
What's the Difference Between a Handler Card and a Manager Certification?
Both credentials deal with sanitation, and their education courses cover many of the same topics. However, they cover different job roles, each with its own training requirements, job qualifications and levels of responsibility.
Handlers
Workers in this role work in facilities like restaurants, hospitals, schools or grocery stores. They perform many duties related to the storage, preparation and service of unpackaged meals. These employees often consist of cooks, servers and other front-line staff who work in the kitchen and front-of-house areas of these facilities. This group also includes workers who handle preparation utensils and surfaces.
Many states require employees to have a food handlers card. This document is evidence that the bearer has a basic understanding of proper kitchen procedures and health standards. Food safety regulations can vary considerably between states and even counties.
In general, workers entering the hospitality or food service industries for the first time will need some type of government-approved education before they can perform many of their assigned duties.
Managers
This role may also be known by other names, such as a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) or Person-in-Charge (PIC). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a PIC to be present during all hours of operation for most restaurants and similar establishments. In addition, the 2022 Food Code requires the PIC to be a CFPM. These individuals must maintain an extensive knowledge of safety standards to effectively protect customers.
Examples include owners, chefs or members of the facility's management team. These roles almost always include supervisory responsibilities for other food-handling employees. In addition to ensuring adherence to proper procedures, they may also create, implement and maintain the facility's sanitation plans.
Online Education
You don't have to drive to a classroom or schedule an appointment to earn your food handler certificate. There are many food handlers safety training programs available online. eFoodcard is the leading provider of convenient online food handler training programs — allowing you to complete your education without even leaving your home.
Our programs are state-accepted in many jurisdictions and accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), which upholds the highest standards of certificate program quality. We customize our programs to meet local regulations and training requirements.
Certified Food Protection Managers
We also help aspiring CFPMs prepare for the official test. Our Food Manager Training and Certification Exam program can be completed online, including a full education, the CFPM exam and unlimited practice tests. You can also take the exam at a nearby testing center if you prefer.
Our CFPM exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). This food safety management system is available for individuals or teams. We even offer bulk discounts for businesses.
Why You Should Train with eFoodcard
eFoodcard has over 40 years of experience in online education, ensuring our online food safety certification courses provide a solid education for hospitality staff across the United States. Many of our courses are accredited by ANAB and provide high-quality lessons for working in a variety of industries.
ANAB accreditation means that our exams meet the standards required for nationally approved food manager certification. eFoodcard proudly offers ANAB-accredited food handler training through our partner brand, StateFoodSafety. We also offer alcohol seller/server courses for beverage workers.
You can complete each course 100% online from any device with an internet connection. Our web-based programs are available in both English and Spanish. Once you've successfully completed your course, you can immediately download and print your certificate or wallet card. Sign up today to start your career with the help of America's official food handlers card!