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Food Service Operators

Food handler certification

Starting September 30, 2026, SMDHU will no longer offer Food Handler Certification exams in person. 

After this date, you can get certified online through an approved provider. See the Courses section below for options.

As a food handler, it is important to protect yourself and others from getting sick by learning safe food handling practices. Food handler certification courses help you learn about how to:

  • prevent food-borne illness;
  • protect the public and workers from harm;
  • apply safe procedures for receiving, storing, preparing and serving food; and
  • help reduce common errors in handling potentially hazardous foods.

Food service premises, including special event vendors, are required to have at least one certified food handler on site for every hour of operation.

You can take a Food Handler Certification course online or in class. Contact the course provider directly to register, ask about costs, and learn how to complete the exam.

In Good Hands online course and exam offered by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care approved food handler courses list of approved course and exam providers. Use the chart to find an online or in-class option.

Our downloadable Food Handler Certification manual (English and French) provides essential food safety guidance and reference information to help you prepare for a certification and maintain safe food handling practices.