Georgia Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide
A food handler card — also known as a food handler certificate, license, or permit — is proof that you have completed a course on important food safety principles.
Owing to the importance of safe food handling practices for preventing foodborne illnesses, many states and local health departments require food workers to earn a valid food handler card.
However, you may wonder whether Georgia or any of its counties require a food handler card.
This article explains everything you need to know about a Georgia food handler card, including whether you need one, how to earn one, and more.
Do you need a food handler card in Georgia?
Georgia doesn’t require a food handler card to work at a restaurant, grocery store, food truck, or other food establishment (1).
However, the Georgia Foodservice Rules and Regulations requires employees to be properly trained in food safety, including food allergy awareness.
To meet this rule, many places require food handler training.
Additionally, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities may require dietary staff to complete food handler training since the population they serve are highly susceptible to foodborne illnesses.
Even if you don’t need to earn a food handler card, earning one can make it easier to land your next foodservice gig or negotiate a higher starting salary.
Summary
Neither Georgia nor any of its counties require a food handler card to work in foodservice, but your employer may still require it.
How do you get a Georgia food handler card?
You can easily earn a Georgia food handler card online in under two hours.
To get started, enroll in an ANAB-accredited food handler course, such as FoodSafePal.
Earn Your ANAB-Accredited Georgia Food Handler Card
Use code “GA” at checkout for 30% OFF
After enrolling, complete the course content, which cover essential food safety topics, including:
- time and temperature controls for food safety
- good personal hygiene
- cross-contact and cross-contamination prevention
- cleaning and sanitizing procedures
Then, demonstrate your knowledge on these topics by passing a test to earn your food handler card.
Most food handler training programs — including FoodSafePal’s — consist of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you usually need at least a 70% or higher to pass.
If you don’t pass the first time, most programs allow you to review the content and retest.
Summary
You can earn your Georgia food handler card with any valid online provider, including FoodSafePal. Simply enroll, complete the course content, and pass a test to earn your food handler card.
How long does a Georgia food handler card last?
A Georgia food handler card usually expires three years from the date you earn it.
When your food handler card is near its expiration, you must renew it by reenrolling in a food handler training program.
Renewing your food handler card every three years keeps you current and fresh on important food safety practices to keep people safe from foodborne illnesses.
If your employer requires food handler training, make sure to provide your manager with a copy so they can keep it on file.
FoodSafePal’s food handler training program issues a certificate and card as a PDF, allowing you to easily print or email it.
If you lose your food handler card or certificate, you can redownload it from the organization in which you earned it or contact them to request another copy.
Summary
Georgia food handler cards generally expire three years from the date of issuance. Renewing your card every three years keeps you current and fresh on safe food handling practices.
Georgia cottage food law
Cottage food refers to food that you make in your home kitchen and sell directly to people living in your state.
These foods usually must not require time or temperature controls to keep them safe.
Examples of allowed foods include:
- bread loafs, rolls, and biscuits
- cakes
- pastries and cookies
- candies and confections
- fruit pies
- jams, jellies, and preserves
- dried fruits
- dry herbs, seasonings, and mixtures
- cereals, trail mixes, and granola
- coated or uncoated nuts
- vinegar and flavored vinegar
- popcorn, popcorn balls, and cotton candy
Before you can operate a cottage food business, Georgia’s cottage food law requires the completion of an ANSI-National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited food safety training course.
FoodSafePal’s Food Handler training course holds ANAB accreditation and is therefore meets this requirement.
This course was created for food employees in commercial food establishments like restaurants and healthcare facilities, so some of the content isn’t applicable to cottage food business owners, but the course still covers the essential food safety topics you must know to keep your homemade goodies safe from contamination.
After you pass the course, you must include a copy of your certificate with your license application.
Georgia requires that you maintain your food handler certificate through the duration of your business, so you must renew it every three years by retaking an ANAB accredited food handler course like FoodSafePal’s.
Summary
Georgia’s cottage food law requires that you complete an ANSI-National Accredited Board (ANAB) accredited food safety or handler course before you can sell your homemade food. FoodSafePal’s Food Handler course is ANAB accredited and meets this requirement.
The bottom line
Neither Georgia nor any of its counties require a food handler card, but your employer may still require it to ensure you’re knowledgable of important food safety principles.
To earn your Georgia food handler card, simply enroll in an online course like FoodSafePal’s, complete the course content, and pass the test.
Earn Your ANAB-Accredited Georgia Food Handler Card
Use code “GA” at checkout for 30% OFF
Georgia food handler cards are generally good for three years.
To operate a cottage food business, Georgia’s cottage food law requires that you complete an ANAB accredited food handler course like FoodSafePal’s as part of the application process.