September 11, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) 345 Oak St W, North Bay (Talon Room)
October 6, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) 345 Oak St W, North Bay (Talon Room)
Food Safety Certification Training
The Food Handler Certificate Course is designed to teach you the general principles of safe food handling. You will learn the basics of how to identify risks associated with foodborne illness and the skills necessary to handle food safely.
Topics of discussion include:
- Public health legislation
- Food microbiology
- Food protection and preparation
- Introduction to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point procedures
- Cleaning, sanitizing and personal hygiene
Food Handler Certificate Course
- The food safety training is a full day (6.5 hours) course and an examination
- The course runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
- You are responsible for providing your own lunch
- The class size is not to exceed 25 participants
- A course may be cancelled if there are not enough students enrolled
- Once you've completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive a food safety certificate
- The food safety certificate meets the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care mandatory food safety training requirements and is recognized by all health units in Ontario
Cost and payment
- The cost for full day food safety training is $45
- You can pay by cash or cheque. Please make your cheque out to: North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
- If you need to cancel, you must give us 24 hours' notice for a full refund
Registration
Registration is required at least one week prior to course date.
Please call 705-474-1400 ext. 5400 or email us at environmental.health@healthunit.ca, if you have any questions or difficulties with your registration process.
Food safety certification course dates
Re-certification and proctoring
If you've been previously certified or you've taken an online course approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care you may be eligible to challenge the food handler training exam. Download the manual to self-study.
Sign up to write the exam
Sign up for exam dates can now be done through this link with our online sign up form. The cost to challenge the exam is $20, paid with cash, cheque or debit (at the office location). Make cheques payable to the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
Individuals that are not able to attend a scheduled exam date or not living in North Bay may call 1-800-563-2808 or 705-474-1400 ext. 5400 and request an alternate date, time or location.
Other safe food handling courses
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care also recognizes other organizations that offer food handler training and certification.
Food handler training online
An online version of the food handler training program is available from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, through a course called "In Good Hands". Follow the link more information about this course, the cost or to register.