5 Undeniable Benefits of Earning Your Food Handler Card

When you earn your food handler card, you’re proving to your manager, health inspectors, and customers that you know how to handle food safely and prevent foodborne illnesses.

However, there are several lesser-known benefits of earning your food handler card that no one talks about but deserve attention.

This article highlights the top five undeniable benefits of earning your food handler card.

The benefits of earning your food handler card

Many people don’t see the value of earning a food handler card beyond it being required by some health departments and employers.

However, there are more benefits that are well worth the time and money you invest into earning it.

Here are the top five benefits of earning your food handler card:

1. It can boost your income

Everyone wants to get paid more than they currently do.

By earning your food handler card, you’re providing more value to your employer in the form of food safety knowledge, which you can use to keep your customers safe from foodborne illnesses and perform better on health inspections.

The more value you provide, the more likely it is that you will be tasked with additional responsibilities or promoted, which comes with more pay.

2. It can make your resume stand out

Several states, cities, and counties require that you earn a food handler card prior to or within a certain period of employment.

From my experience, however, it’s rare that someone who applies for a position already holds a valid food handler card.

Therefore, earning your food handler card and displaying it proudly on your resume when applying for a job grabs the hiring manager’s attention.

Even if your health department doesn’t require that you earn a food handler card, doing so undoubtedly puts your resume above your competition.

3. It protects you from lawsuits

Unsafe food handling is the primary way foodborne illnesses occur and spread.

Foodborne illnesses — also known as food poisoning — can make people severely sick, especially those who are highly susceptible, such as older adults and people with a compromised immune system.

If people become sick from unsafe food handling, they can sue the restaurant or foodservice establishment at which they work, creating a legal mess in which you don’t want to be involved.

People who become sick can also report it to your health department, prompting an investigation that could shut your food establishment down and leave you out of work.

However, earning your food handler card arms you with the knowledge necessary to handle food safely so you can prevent people from getting sick and the legal mess that could follow.

4. It can get you promoted

Do you desire to climb your way up the chain of command into a lead or management role?

Earning your food handler card — especially if your local health department or job doesn’t require it — is a great way to do so.

This is because earning your food handler card makes you more qualified for your role and to train others on important food safety principles to keep those who you serve safe from foodborne illnesses.

Doing so also helps prepare you to earn your food safety manager certification, which is generally required to serve in a management role.

5. It follows you

Earning your food handler card is an accomplishment that is not specific to the place at which you work.

This means that if you decide to work for a different food establishment, your food handler card follows.

It’s no different than a certified personal trainer who changes gyms — the personal training certification is held by the person, not the gym.

However, some states, cities, and counties have different food handler training requirements, so depending on where you move, you may need to take an approved course.

How to earn your food handler card

Earning your food handler card is a quick and easy process.

Many companies offer this training completely online.

If you’re required to earn a food handlers card, make sure the company you choose is approved by your state or local health department.

For example, some states like Arizona, California, and Texas, among others, only accept ANSI-National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-accredited food handler cards.

Most states and health departments accept FoodSafePal’s food handler training.

Other states and counties have their own food handler training programs and don’t accept cards provided by other programs.

Once you determine the right training, enroll in the course to get started.

Once you start the course, expect to spend two hours or less to get your food handler card.

Food handler courses cover important food safety topics, including:

• personal hygiene and handwashing
• food hazards and foodborne illnesses
• cross-contamination and food allergies
• time and temperature abuse
• cleaning and sanitation

It’s wise to take notes while you’re progressing through the course so you can pass the test the first time.

Here are the things you must know to pass your food handlers test the first time.

Once earned, your food handler card expires in 2–3 years.

If you lose your food handler card, you can print or download a replacement by logging into the issuing company’s website.

The bottom line

Earning your food handler card confers many more benefits beyond it being required by some health departments.

It can boost your income, make your resume stand out, protect you from lawsuits, and get you promoted.

Earning your food handler card also stays with you if you change jobs, but some states and counties have different food handler training requirements.