If you work around food, whether in a restaurant, cafe, food truck, or catering business, you’ve probably heard people talk about getting a food handler’s card. Some say it’s essential for everyone who handles food, while others maintain it’s optional. So, what’s the truth?
The short answer is that you should aim to have an official food handler’s card regardless of the state in which you work.
However, it’s more complicated than this. Every jurisdiction has its own rules and regulations. Some states, like California, require everyone working in this industry to have a food handler’s card. Others, like Hawaii, require at least one employee to have the card for every working shift.
Here’s what you should know about this topic.
What Exactly Is a Food Handler’s Card?
Also known as a food handler’s permit/licence/certificate/certification, a food handler’s card is an official document that proves you’ve completed a state-approved course on safe food handling practices. Such courses cover topics like proper cooking temperatures, personal hygiene, cleaning procedures, and cross-contamination prevention.
The best way to obtain this card is by taking an in-person or online food handler certificate course from a reputable provider like RocketCert. After this, you will take a short test. Once you’ve passed, you can finally get the card, which is typically valid anywhere between two and three years, depending on your state’s regulations.
Why Do You Need a Food Handler’s Card?
The main reason you need a food handler’s card is to ensure you know how to handle food safely. However, there’s a lot more you learn from the food handler’s certification course. You’ll learn everything from the time and temperature required to cook certain foods, how to wash and sanitise utensils, and even how to clean your hands correctly.
In short, there’s a lot of information in such courses that will be incredibly important for your safety and others around you. Some that you didn’t even know you needed.
Is A ServSafe The Same as a Food Handler’s Card?
You’ve probably heard some people use the name ServSafe to refer to a food handler’s card and wondered whether it’s the same thing. Well, ServSafe is simply a brand name, just like Q-Tips is a brand name for the cotton swabs we use to clean our ears. So, ServSafe is simply the name of a widely renowned food safety certificate program.
Top Benefits of Investing in a Food Handler’s Card
As mentioned before, you’ll mainly be interested in a food handler’s card because it’s legally required in places where food safety is crucial. That, however, isn’t the only reason to invest in this certification. Here are the other motivational factors to consider:
1. Sets You Apart in the Job Market
Just like in other industries, trying to find high-value jobs in the food service industry without the right documents can be a long shot. When you have your food handlers card ready, however, it makes you look professional, reliable, and proactive. It tells employers you already understand the fundamentals of food safety and won’t need immediate training, which is a win for them.
2. Protects You and Your Customers
Foodborne illnesses affect millions of Americans every year, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Proper training lowers the risk of contamination and outbreaks, so you won’t be a part of the statistics regarding food poisoning and similar cases.
Learning how to handle raw meat safely, store food at the right temperature, and wash hands effectively can sound basic, but it’s such “small” habits that prevent larger problems.
3. Helps Your Career Long-Term
If you’re planning to move up in the food industry to a supervisory, management, or even ownership role, having foundational food safety knowledge will help a lot.
It’s often a stepping stone to higher-level certifications such as the ServSafe Manager Certification. With such achievements, you will naturally have a higher value in the food service industry.
4. Quick, Affordable, and Easy to Get
Unlike most professional licences, getting your food handlers’ card is rather straightforward. Most courses are offered online, take no more than 90 minutes to complete, and cost less than $20. What’s more, you can even take the test on your phone or laptop from home.
After passing, you can print or download your certificate instantly, so you’re not looking at any waiting periods or mailing delays.
Start The Process Right Away
Back to the main question of this post: Should you get an official food handlers card? Absolutely! Even if it’s not a legal requirement in your state, it’s a small investment with major benefits. You’ll gain confidence in your skills, show employers you’re serious about safety, and keep your workplace and customers protected.
So, go to rocketcert.com today to take some of the best courses in the market and increase your chances of passing the food handlers test.