Get Your Food Handlers Card Los Angeles From The Health Department

When do I need to get my food handlers card Los Angeles?

Anyone working in the food industry need food safety training. The California Food Handler Card law was created to make sure restaurant employees and others working around food do so in a safe and protective manner. Ensuring all employees have passed a food handler course is the best way to provide a level of training in Food Safety practices. This helps reduce or eliminate the spread of foodborne illnesses.

All food handlers are required to get a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of their hire date. Upon successful completion of an online food handler program, the card will be issued. The food handlers card is valid throughout most of California including Los Angeles. However, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties have pre-existing food handler card programs and are exempted from the state mandate.

Any food facility operating in California must maintain records that show which employees hold a current California Food Handler Card. These records are provided to local enforcement officials upon request. Some foodservice employees can carry a food safety certification instead.

Food handlers who are employed by any of the following need a food handlers card-

• mobile food truck
  
• certified farmers market
• commissaries
• grocery stores, except for separately owned food facilities
• licensed health care facilities
• public and private school cafeterias
• restricted food service facilities
• snack bars
• elderly nutrition programs
• city, county, and state detention facilities (jails, juvenile hall, camp, ranch, etc.).

Where can I get my food handlers card Los Angeles?

To get a California Food Handler Card, an approved exam needs to be passed first. The test can be taken online or in a classroom setting. To pass, food handlers need to a minimum score of 70 percent in Los Angeles. Food handlers must maintain a valid food handler card throughout the entire time of their employment in a food service establishment.

Managers and shift-leaders can contact the National Restaurant Association's ServSafe California Food Handler Program for information. They can also direct employees to either servsafe.com/foodhandler or foodhandlerusa.com to get answer to frequently asked questions.
The state law doesn't require employers to pay for the employee's training course unless the food facility is providing the food safety training in-house. Otherwise, exams are no more than $15 as cited by the Food Code in California.

Food safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Food service employees must have a valid Food Handler Card when working with food.

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Why does the food handler card Los Angeles exist?

The California Food Handler Card law is designed to make sure those that handle food for public consumption are reasonably trained in food safety. Having employees who understand food safety practices will reduce the potential for spreading illnesses and causing an outbreak. Food handlers are required to get a valid food handler card 30 days from the date of hire.

Food Handler Card law is enforced by local health departments. They are responsible for making sure food facilities are meeting their obligations under state law. This means all food handlers should have their food handler card on them at all times. Records should be provided to local enforcement officers upon request.

Rules and Regulations

California Food Handler Safety Regulations and Guidelines state that foodborne illness is attributed to poor food preparation. This means food handlers aren't practicing basic food safety measures such as using improper heating and cooling procedures or having poor personal hygiene.

Because most of the foodborne illnesses in the past have been due to food service handlers, the importance of instilling food safety training for food handlers is critical.

To comply with California Law, every food facility must meet the requirements for both Food Handlers and Certified Food Managers. This means each employee must be certified in food safety by passing an approved Food Safety Certification examination.

Retail food establishments are also required to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who is trained in Food Management. Employees involved in the preparation, storage or service of food in a food facility are required to have a food handler card as specified in CalCode Sections 113790 and 113948.

The Process of Certification

If you're wondering how to obtain a food handlers card to work food service in Los Angeles, you can get the necessary training materials as outlined by ServSafe or another valid training center.

Employees interested in getting a food handlers card Los Angeles should start by attending a training class either in-person or online. An online course and exam fee for food handlers is usually $15 or less. However, the study materials are an additional cost.

Once exams are graded, you'll be notified of your results and the status of your certification. If you achieved a score of 75% or higher, it means you've passed and will receive your food handlers card soon afterwards. The certification is valid for 5 years, and will need to be renewed after that date.

If you're a restaurant owner, you will need to make sure that your employees have food handlers cards.

You can't just send your employees to the local health department and expect them to come back with the card.

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What are Food Handler Classes?

Food HandlerClasses offer training, practice exams and other resources to help students prepare for the food handlers card exam. These classed provide knowledge of food safety practices tailored to each state's specific requirements. This means the local ordinances and regulations for Los Angeles would be covered through food handler classes.

All food Handler Classes are ANSI Accredited and provide the knowledge needed for competent food handling. In some states, an ANSI ASTM E2659 certificate can be earned as a part of your Food Handler Class certification.

Do I need to take a test for my food handlers card Los Angeles?

Getting a food handlers card is a requirement in Los Angeles for those that work in food service. To earn a valid card there is a four-step process to follow-

1. Take a food safety training course
   
2. Pass an ANSI accredited test
   
3. Print your proof of completion certificate
   
4. File that proof with your health department
   

• Your state or local health department website
• Your state restaurant association website
  
• The ServSafe website
  
• A Google search for food handlers card classes