ServSafe vs. eFoodHandlers (vs. FoodSafePal)
ServSafe and eFoodHandlers are popular food safety training programs. FoodSafePal also offers food safety training.
However, if you need food safety training or certification, you might wonder how these organizations differ and whether one is better.
This article explains how ServSafe and eFoodHandlers (and FoodSafePal) compare and discusses how to choose the best one for your food safety training needs.
About ServSafe
ServSafe offers food safety and alcohol serving training and certification.
The National Restaurant Association owns and administers the ServSafe program.
The National Restaurant Association is a trade group that advocates on behalf of restaurant owners and lobbies to keep restaurant operation costs low — including employees’ wages.
This association also owns another food safety training organization called the National Registry of Foodservice Professionals (NRFSP).
A percentage of course fees from both ServSafe and the NRFSP are used by the National Restaurant Association to supports its lobbying efforts.
Summary
ServSafe is a food and alcohol safety training and certification organization. The National Restaurant Association owns ServSafe and NRFSP — another food safety training company. A percentage of enrollment fees from these organizations support the association’s lobbying efforts to keep restaurant operation costs low.
About eFoodHandlers
Like ServSafe, eFoodHandlers offers food safety and alcohol serving training and certification.
This organization, along with two other food safety training companies — eFoodCard and StateFoodSafety — are owned and administered by Certus.
Certus is a owned by private equity, a type of investment fund that uses money raised from wealthy individuals, among other sources, to acquire businesses with the goal to generate the largest return possible for their investors.
This means that a portion of revenue generated from eFoodHandlers — along with eFoodCard and StateFoodSafety — courses are used to pad investors’ pockets.
Summary
eFoodHandlers provides food and alcohol safety training and certification. It along with two other food safety training providers — eFoodCard and StateFoodSafety — are owned by Certus, a private equity firm focused on increasing profits for its investors.
About FoodSafePal
FoodSafePal offers online food handler training for various types of food establishments, including places that prepare and serve food like healthcare facilities and schools.
It’s owned and administered by Gavin Van De Walle, a registered dietitian and food safety expert.
FoodSafePal’s advisory board team, which consists of other registered dietitians and foodservice professionals including Certified Dietary Mangers (CDMs) and Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPMs), help maintain and support FoodSafePal’s food handler training.
All revenue generated from course sales are funneled back into FoodSafePal to support the development of additional food safety training courses and free, downloadable food safety resources.
FoodSafePal prides itself on transparency and openness since it has no conflict of interest and isn’t owned or directed by investors.
FoodSafePal’s food handler training holds the same ANAB-accreditation as ServSafe, making it a good alternative.
Summary
FoodSafePal is an online food handler training provider. Unlike its competitors, FoodSafePal has no conflicts of interest and is not owned by private investors.
ServSafe vs. eFoodHandlers vs. FoodSafePal
ServSafe, eFoodHandlers, and FoodSafePal share many similarities but also have their differences.
However, because FoodSafePal offers food handler training only, it makes sense to compare it to the food handler training offered by ServSafe and eFoodHandlers.
Here’s an overview of how the food handler training course of ServSafe, eFoodHandlers, and FoodSafePal compare:
| ServSafe | FoodSafePal | eFoodHandlers | |
| Training cost | $15 | $15 ($10 with code “save” at checkout) | $10 |
| Training course length | 2 hours | 75 minutes | 30-75 minutes |
| Course access | 60 days | 1 year | 1 year |
| Offered (online or in-person) | Online and in-person | Online | Online |
| Languages | English, Spanish | English, Spanish | English, Spanish |
| Passing score | 75% | 70% | 70% |
| Expires | 2–3 years | 2–3 years | 2–3 years |
| ANAB-accredited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nationally accepted | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Summary
This table outlines the key differences and similarities between the ServSafe, eFoodHandlers, and FoodSafePal food handler course.
Which should you choose?
Unlike the other two, FoodSafePal does not offer food safety manager certification or responsible alcohol safety training.
Therefore, if you need one of these trainings, ServSafe or eFoodHandlers are your default choices.
Otherwise, if you need food handler training, the three organizations are nearly identical.
The food handler training offered by these organizations hold the same ANAB-accreditation, meaning they meet more than 100 established national standards.
Nearly every state and local health department that requires food handler training require it be ANAB-accredited, so wherever ServSafe and eFoodHandlers are accepted, you can be certain that FoodSafePal is too.
So, because one organization isn’t necessarily better, choose the one that best resonates with your values or beliefs.
Summary
ServSafe, eFoodHandlers, and FoodSafePal offer nearly identical food handler training. They share the same ANAB-accreditation and are accepted nationwide.
The bottom line
ServSafe, eFoodHandlers, and FoodSafePal are online food safety training organizations.
ServSafe is owned and administered by the National Restaurant Association, and eFoodHandlers is owned by a firm of private investors. Conversely, FoodSafePal is owned and administered by Gavin Van De Walle, a registered dietitian.
Unlike ServSafe, FoodSafePal has no conflict of interest and is not owned by investors like eFoodHandlers. With FoodSafePal, you know who is dedicated — and accountable — to your success.
The food handler training offered by these organizations share the same ANAB-accreditation and are accepted nationwide.
Thus, one isn’t necessarily better, so choose the one that you prefer or that best resonates with your views.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
