Finding the Food Safety Training Program that is Right for You

Back in October of 2021, I highlighted the different food safety training programs available for you to use to train employees. I thought it might be pertinent to refresh this list again during National Food Safety Education month. One of the first questions I always get about the training requirement in the food code is, “do I have to pass a certified exam”?  The answer is no, you don’t.  To be more specific, knowledge and certification requirements are spelled out in the 2022 FDA Model Food Code. Section 2-102.11 mandates the knowledge requirement for the person in charge, which can be satisfied by one of three different methods: having no priority violations during the current inspection; being a certified food protection manager, having passed a test as part of an accredited program; or responding to the inspector’s questions about a variety of identified food safety topics.

… if my business were ever the source of a foodborne illness outbreak, I would certainly want to know that I had done everything in my power to protect my guests and having trained my employees who work on the front lines with the food I serve in my business would be the very least that I could do.

However, I don’t know about you, but if my business were ever the source of a foodborne illness outbreak, I would certainly want to know that I had done everything in my power to protect my guests and having trained my employees who work on the front lines with the food I serve in my business would be the very least that I could do. Thus, below is a list of all organizations who are currently certified to offer the food safety certification exam and some basic information about the program. Accredited Food Manager Examinations[1]
Name of Organization Website Format Cost Other Notes
AAA Food Safety https://aaafoodhandler.com/food-manager-certification Training: Online Exam: Remote proctoring Training & Exam: $99.95 Exam only: $69.95  Training Only: $49.95 The $99.95 rate only provides one attempt to pass the exam.  There is a “Diamond Package” available for $119.95 that provides one free retreat.
WFSO Academy https://academy.worldfoodsafety.org/#/fpm  Training: Online Exam: Remote or in-person at test site Exam, remote proctoring: $95.00 Exam, in-person at test site: $125.00  Training: $12 – $95.00 Study courses are priced individually but can also be purchased in a comprehensive bundle. Access to the course is available for one year. 
Certus / StateFoodSafety.com https://www.statefoodsafety.com/ Training: online Exam: In-person or online, remote proctoring available Training & Exam: $78.00[2] + proctor fee (varies, usually around $50) Training only: $65.00 Exam only: $28.00 plus proctor fee (varies, usually around $50) If you fail the exam, you must repurchase a new exam, however the course remains free.   Examinee must repurchase the exam and register for an exam session for each attempted retake.
360training.com, Inc. https://www.360training.com/learn2serve Training: Online Exam: Remote proctoring, cost included with both the training and exam package and the exam only option. Training & Exam: $121.00 Exam only: $69.99 Students allowed two attempts to pass the exam with no additional cost. Not approved for New York City
My Food Service License https://myfoodservicelicense.com/ Training: Online Exam: Remote proctoring. Training & Exam: $199.00 Exam only: $100.00  Training only: $161.00 Normal prices are reported.  At the time of the audit, the training and exam were “on sale” for $169.00 and the training only was $115.00.
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals https://www.nrfsp.com/ Training: It appears this is designed for in-person training, but self-study options are allowed.  There is an affiliate network that provides online training for an additional cost. Exam: Online or in-person Training & Exam: $70.95 Self-Study Training Materials: $23.00-$103.95 Exam only: $80.00 Of accredited programs, this was the most complicated of the websites to navigate in order to determine what you needed to purchase to obtain the certification.
National Restaurant Association https://www.servsafe.com/ Training: In-person or online Exam: In-person or online, remote proctoring available. Training & Exam: In-person costs will vary; online $179.00 Exam only with online proctoring: $99.00 Online Exam Voucher only: $36.00 If you fail the exam, you must repurchase a new exam, however the course remains free.
Trust20 https://trust20.co/ Training: Online, remote proctored. Exam: Online Training: $90.00 Exam only: $90.00 If you fail the exam, you must repurchase a new exam.  The training is available, but only results in a “certificate”, not certification.  There does not appear to be a combined training/exam package with a reduced rate.
Responsible Training https://www.responsibletraining.com/ Training: Online, remote proctored by Examity. Exam: Online Training & Exam: $119.99 Exam only: $64.99 Students allowed two attempts to pass the exam with no additional cost.
The Always Food Safe Company, LLC https://alwaysfoodsafe.com/en/ Training: Online Exam: Remote proctoring, cost included with both the training and exam package and the exam only option. Training & Exam: $78.00 + Remote Proctor Fee of $48.00 Exam only: $28.00 + Remote Proctor Fee of $48.00 Students allowed two attempts to pass the exam with no additional cost.
As I noted last time I posted this list, I am sure there are several of you out there who would like me to tell you which program is the best for you, but it all depends on how you learn, how you’d like to take the exam, and your budget.  Look into each and use your best judgement. I am not endorsing any of the programs, only noting that they are approved for your use. Whichever you decide, be sure to check with your local health department to make sure they also recognize the exam before you pay for it. Have you had good or bad experiences with either of these training and exams that you’d like to share?  If so, drop me a note.  I’d love to hear about your experiences and may be able to use this in a future blog. Risk Nothing.
[1] Information is current as of 9/26/2023 [2] Fee is specific to the state and, in some cases, the county.  It appears that most are $78.00.

Emergency Preparedness and Responding to a Disaster with Food Safety in Mind

As I write the first blog this month, the realities of the devastation in Florida are coming to light as we also deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, which impacted Puerto Rico late in September. Recent news has been focused on the recovery efforts for all who have been impacted. Thus, I thought it would be fitting this month to discuss emergency disaster planning resources in our first blog and delve into recovering from a disaster in our second blog later this month.

Welcome to National Food Safety Education Month!

In September of each year, we not only have the opportunity to celebrate Labor Day, but we also welcome National Food Safety Education Month! It is this time of the year when it is important to remember that Foodborne illnesses are still a major concern in the United States, although I am guessing many Americans don’t think about the safety of the food they eat as they go throughout their daily lives.  The statistics show one in every six Americans will suffer from a foodborne illness each year, for a total of about 48 million cases each year.

Protecting Fresh Produce Post-Harvest, Integral to Safe Food

During the height of the summer, at least in the Midwest, farmers markets are in full swing and fresh produce is plentiful. Every backyard gardener is reaping the benefits of their work, with bountiful harvests of tomatoes and cucumbers. Everyone seems to have a neighbor who is trying to pawn off his or her over-production of cucumbers or summer squash during this time of year.  When picking up that produce at the farmer’s market or from your neighbor down the street, have you ever given any thought to the microbial safety of it?  Honestly, even in my position, it certainly is NOT the first thing that comes to my mind.  But, earlier this month, I came across a news story out of Wisconsin discussing a Salmonella outbreak associated with shelled peas sold at a local farmers market. Who would have thought shelled peas would be impacted?  The story noted, and it served as a great reminder, that most outbreaks associated with Salmonella in produce are due to mistakes made in handling or transportation of produce after harvesting.