ServSafe vs. NRFSP (vs. FoodSafePal)
ServSafe and the NRFSP are two of the most popular food safety training organizations. FoodSafePal is another food safety training organization growing in popularity.
If you need food safety training, you might wonder whether one organization is better and which will be approved your health department.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about ServSafe and the NRSFP (and FoodSafePal), and discusses how to choose the best one for your food safety training needs.
About ServSafe
ServSafe is a food safety training and certification organization administered by the National Restaurant Association.
This association represents and lobbies on behalf of restaurant owners to make it easier — and cheaper — for them to operate and run their businesses.
A percentage of revenue that ServSafe earns from its courses supports these lobbying efforts.
ServSafe offers ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)–accredited training for food managers, food handlers, and people who serve or sell alcohol.
The organization offers most of these courses online and in person.
Summary
ServSafe is a food safety training company administered by the National Restaurant Association. Some of ServSafe’s revenue is used to support the association’s lobbying efforts.
About the NRFSP
NRFSP stands for the National Registry of Foodservice Professionals.
Founded in 1997 through partnerships between two corporations, the NRFSP offers food safety manager certification and food handler training, with the former being its most popular course.
The NRFSP offers these courses both online and in person, and they are ANAB-accredited.
The National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) acquired the NRFSP in 2016, so all the revenue it earns from enrollment fees is directed back to the National Restaurant Association to support its lobbying efforts for the restaurant industry.
Summary
The National Registry of Foodservice Professionals (NRFSP) offers food manager and food handler training and certification. It’s owned by the National Restaurant Association, and part of NRFSP’s revenue is used to support the association.
About FoodSafePal
FoodSafePal was created in 2022 by Gavin Van De Walle, a registered dietitian who specializes in food safety and sanitation.
Contributing to its development is an advisory team of other registered dietitians and food safety experts, including certified dietary mangers.
FoodSafePal’s approach is slightly different than ServSafe and the NRFSP in that it’s not just another faceless corporate entity.
Instead, FoodSafePal believes in transparency and openness because they want you to know the person dedicated to your training success.
Currently, FoodSafePal offers food handler training only, but plans to release a food safety manager training course in 2025 followed by additional course offerings.
FoodSafePal’s food handler training holds the same ANAB-accredited food handler training as ServSafe and NFRSP so it’s approved the same areas and a great ServSafe alternative.
Summary
FoodSafePal is an online food handler training organization. It prides itself on transparency and openness.
ServSafe vs. NRFSP vs. FoodSafePal
ServSafe, NRFSP, and FoodSafePal have many similarities but also some differences.
However, because FoodSafePal currently offers food handler training only, it makes sense to compare it to the food handler training course offered by ServSafe and the NRFSP.
Here’s an overview of how the food handler training course of ServSafe, NRFSP, and FoodSafePal compare:
| ServSafe | FoodSafePal | NRFSP | |
| Training cost | $15 | $15 ($10 with code “save” at checkout) | $15 |
| Training course length | 2 hours | 1.5 hours | 2 hours |
| Course access | 60 days | 1 year | 60 days |
| Offered (online or in-person) | Online and in-person | Online | Online and in-person |
| Languages | English, Spanish | English, Spanish | English, Spanish |
| Passing score | 75% | 70% | 75% |
| 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, the NRFSP, and FoodSafePal food handler course.
Which should you choose?
If you need to earn your food safety manager certification, ServSafe or the NRFSP is the default choice since FoodSafePal does not yet offer this training.
Neither FoodSafePal nor NRFSP offer training on responsible alcohol serving, so ServSafe or an alternative are your choices in this case.
But, when it comes to food handler training, ServSafe, NRSFP, and FoodSafePal are nearly identical.
The trainings from these organizations are ANAB-accredited, meaning they have undergone the same rigorous third-party review to ensure the training and the organization meet more than 100 established national standards.
Because this accreditation process is so rigorous, nearly all states and local health departments that require food handler training to work at a food establishment require that it be ANAB-accredited.
This is also true in places where food handler training is voluntary.
Thus, you can be certain that wherever ServSafe or NRFSP are accepted, FoodSafePal is too.
As such, it comes down to personal choice and whether one brand resonates with you more since all three are the same for the purpose of earning a nationally accepted food handlers card.
Summary
ServSafe, NRFSP, and FoodSafePal offer nearly identical food handler training. They share the same ANAB-accreditation and are accepted nationwide.
The bottom line
ServSafe and NRFSP are two popular food safety training organizations, while FoodSafePal, another food safety training provider, is growing in popularity.
ServSafe and NRFSP are both owned and administered by the National Restaurant Association, whereas FoodSafePal is administered by Gavin Van De Walle, a registered dietitian, with the support of its advisory team of food safety experts.
The food handler training offered by ServSafe, the NRFSP, and FoodSafePal share the same ANAB-accreditation and is accepted nationwide.
Thus, because one isn’t necessarily better when it comes to earning your food handlers card, it comes down to preference and which brand best aligns with your values.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
