Ontario Food Handler Certification
Everything you need to know about food safety certification in Ontario. Requirements, costs, the DineSafe program, and how to pass your exam.
$40 to $100
Certification cost
5 years
Validity period
70%
Passing score
34
Public health units
Who needs certification in Ontario?
Under Ontario Regulation 493/17 (Food Premises), at least one certified food handler must be on the premises at all times during food preparation and service. This applies to every food premise in the province, including restaurants, food trucks, catering operations, grocery store delis, institutional kitchens, and temporary food events. No food business is exempt.
Only one staff member has to be certified, but training your whole team is the safer choice. It keeps you covered during sick calls, staff absences, and surprise inspections.
Who regulates food safety in Ontario?
Food safety in Ontario is regulated under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Enforcement is carried out by 34 local Public Health Units through Environmental Health Officers, who run routine inspections and respond to public complaints. Inspectors can review your food handler certificates, examine any area or equipment, take food samples, and issue penalties when the rules are broken.
The laws that apply to your business
Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001
This Act manages the overall safety and quality of food across Ontario. It states that food service businesses cannot operate without a licence, that they are subject to health inspections, and that inspectors may search without a warrant when there is a food safety risk. Penalties range from notices and large fines to closure and, in extreme cases, imprisonment.
Health Protection and Promotion Act
This Act organizes public health programs in Ontario, helps prevent the spread of disease, and sets out the duties of every board of health. It gives medical officers of health and public health inspectors rights of entry and the power to act. Penalties can include daily fines, suspension of operations, and closure of the premises.
O. Reg. 493/17: Food Premises
This is the rule that matters most for staffing. It requires that every food service business has at least one certified food handler on the premises during every hour of operation. It also expects businesses to keep certification current and to renew on time so they stay compliant.
The DineSafe program
Toronto's DineSafe program is a model inspection disclosure system. After each inspection, the establishment must display a coloured sign so the public can see the result at a glance. Results are also searchable online, and many other Ontario health units run similar disclosure programs.
Green: Pass
The premise meets the standards under the law.
Yellow: Conditional
Open, but specific corrections are required.
Red: Closed
Closed for an immediate health hazard.
Certification cost and renewal
Food handler certification in Ontario costs between $40 and $100 depending on the provider. Our approved course is $49.95, covers the full training and exam, and gives you a downloadable certificate. Certification is valid for 5 years. After it expires, you take a new approved program and pass the exam again. Many employers cover this cost as part of onboarding.
Ontario public health units
Inspections in Ontario are overseen by 34 Public Health Units. They enforce the rules and run public health programs. Inspection results are public, and units can post them online and at your premises. A few of the larger units include:
What happens if you do not comply?
Skipping Ontario's food safety rules can lead to large fines that often reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, a cancelled licence that can force your business to close, and lasting damage to your brand and reputation. Keeping a certified food handler on every shift is the simplest way to stay on the right side of the law.
Regulation sources
Government of Ontario
Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 and the Health Protection and Promotion Act, including O. Reg. 493/17 (Food Premises).
Local Public Health Unit
Your regional health unit enforces inspections and may add local requirements. Always confirm the rules that apply to you.
Ontario questions
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Under O. Reg. 493/17, at least one certified food handler must be on site during every hour that food is prepared or served. Training your whole team is recommended.
It ranges from $40 to $100 depending on the provider. Our approved course is $49.95 and includes the training, the exam, and your downloadable certificate.
Certification is valid for 5 years. After it expires, you take a new approved program and pass the exam again to renew.
DineSafe is Toronto's inspection disclosure program. After an inspection, a premise displays a green pass, a yellow conditional pass, or a red closure sign, and results are posted online. Many other Ontario health units run similar programs.
Yes. The rule applies to all food premises, including food trucks, catering operations, grocery delis, institutional kitchens, and temporary food events. No food business is exempt.