ServSafe vs. StateFoodSafety (vs. FoodSafePal)
ServSafe and StateFoodSafety are food safety training and certification organizations.
FoodSafePal is another organization with similar offerings.
However, if you need to earn your food handlers card or food safety manager certification, you might wonder whether one organization is better.
This article explains how ServSafe and StateFoodSafety (and FoodSafePal) compare and discusses how to choose the best one for your food safety training needs.
About ServSafe
ServSafe is a program that offer food safety and alcohol serving training and certification.
ServSafe is administered and owned by the National Restaurant Association, a trade organization that represents and advocates on behalf of restaurant owners and operators.
A certain percentage of revenue generated from ServSafe’s course fees support the National Restaurant Association’s lobbying efforts to reduce operating costs — including employees’ wages — for restaurant owners.
The National Restaurant Association acquired the National Registry of FoodService Professionals (NRFSP) — a ServSafe competitor — in 2016, strengthening the association’s ability to generate revenue.
Summary
ServSafe offers food safety and alcohol serving training and certification. The National Restaurant Association owns and administers the ServSafe program as well as the NRFSP, which they acquired in 2016.
About StateFoodSafety
Like ServSafe, StateFoodSafety is an organization that offers food safety and alcohol serving training and certification.
StateFoodSafety is owned and administered by Certus, a company owned by private equity.
Private equity is a type of investment fund that use money raised from wealthy individuals, among other sources, to acquire businesses with the goal to generate the largest return possible for their investors.
eFoodHandlers and eFoodCard — two other food safety training organizations — are sister companies of StateFoodSafety and are therefore also owned by Certus.
Summary
StateFoodSafety provides online food safety and alcohol serving training. It’s owned by a private equity firm — which also owns two other food safety training companies — eFoodHandlers and eFoodCard.
About FoodSafePal
FoodSafePal offers online food handler training, but plans to offer food safety manager certification in 2025.
Gavin Van De Walle, a registered dietitian and food safety expert, owns and administers FoodSafePal’s food handler training.
FoodSafePal’s training is also supported and maintained by its team of advisory board, which is composed of other registered dietitians and food safety experts, including Certified Dietary Managers (CDMs) and Certified Food Protection Managers (CFPM).
By disclosing ownership and having no conflicts of interest, FoodSafePal prides itself on transparency and openness.
All revenue generated from its food handler training courses is directed back into the business to improve current offerings, create new trainings, and develop more free food safety resources and downloadable content.
Summary
FoodSafePal is an online food handler training organization. Unlike its competitors, FoodSafePal has no conflicts of interest and is not owned by private investors.
ServSafe vs. StateFoodSafety vs. FoodSafePal
ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, and FoodSafePal have many similarities but also many 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 StateFoodSafety.
Here’s an overview of how the food handler training course of ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, and FoodSafePal compare:
| ServSafe | FoodSafePal | StateFoodSafety | |
| Training cost | $15 | $15 ($10 with code “save” at checkout) | $10 |
| Training course length | 2 hours | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| 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, StateFoodSafety, and FoodSafePal food handler course.
Which should you choose?
If you need food safety manager certification or training on responsible alcohol serving, ServSafe and StateFoodSafety are your default choices since FoodSafePal does not currently offer these trainings.
However, if you need food handler training, FoodSafePal holds the same ANAB-accreditation as ServSafe and StateFoodSafety, meaning the course is accepted nationwide, making it an ideal alternative.
Nearly all states and local health departments only accept ANAB-accredited food handler training. This is also true for employers in places where food handler training is voluntary.
Therefore, because all three companies are the same for the purpose of earning a nationally accepted food handlers card, it boils down to personal choice and whether one brand resonates with you more.
Summary
ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, and FoodSafePal offer nearly identical food handler training. They share the same ANAB-accreditation and are accepted nationwide.
The bottom line
ServSafe and StateFoodSafety are two popular companies that offer food safety training. FoodSafePal, another food safety training organization, is growing in popularity.
ServSafe is administered by the National Restaurant Association, and StateFoodSafety is owned by a group if private investor firm. Conversely, Gavin Van De Walle, a registered dietitian, with the support of its advisory team of food safety experts administer FoodSafePal’s food handler training course.
The food handler training offered by ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, and FoodSafePal share the same ANAB-accreditation and is accepted nationwide.
Thus, the food handler training from one of these organizations isn’t necessarily better when it comes to earning your food handlers card, so choose the one the best aligns with your values and preferences.
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