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Training helps reduce or eliminate food safety hazards before they become major issues.
Reducing food safety complaints will create a happier workplace and in turn increase productivity.
Numerous professionals nationwide have already earned and renewed their card with AAA Food Handler — a trusted name in food safety training.
The Illinois Food Handler Card is a state-approved and ANAB accredited online program that teaches essential food safety practices for food service workers. It covers topics such as proper handwashing, avoiding cross-contamination, temperature control, and cleaning food-contact surfaces. The course is self-paced, available 24/7, and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Once finished, you’ll receive an official Illinois Food Handler Certificate.
To earn your Illinois Food Handlers Card, you must complete a course approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or accredited by the ANAB. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you can download and print your certificate to provide to your employer.
Your Illinois food handler certificate is valid for three years. To stay compliant with Illinois law, you must retake the course and pass the exam again before the expiration date.
You must be at least 14 years old to work in food service in Illinois. Workers under 16 may have limits on equipment use and work hours. At age 18, employees are typically allowed to perform all food service tasks.
Yes. Illinois accepts online courses, as long as it is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or accredited by the ANAB. The online option allows you to complete the course at your own pace from anywhere.
To renew your Illinois Food Handler certificate, you must retake an approved course before your current certificate expires. After passing the exam again, you’ll receive an updated certificate to give to your employer.
According to the CDC, Illinois had 25 foodborne illness outbreaks, resulting in 325 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The food handler course helps reduce these incidents by teaching workers how to safely handle and prepare food, protect public health, and avoid violations.
Visit the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website for current food safety regulations, public health updates, and resources related to food handling practices in the state.
The ANAB is responsible for evaluating and recognizing programs that meet nationally accepted food safety standards. The ANAB helps ensure that food safety training, such as the program offered by AAA Food Handler, meets essential public health guidelines.
AAA Food Handler courses work on most devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. For the best results, use the latest version of Google Chrome. Make sure JavaScript and cookies are enabled, and a PDF reader is installed for accessing course documents.
For official guidance on food safety rules and regulations in Illinois,
Contact the Food Safety Branch of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH):
525-535 West Jefferson Street,
Springfield, Illinois 62761.
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
Great
very through and informative
Clearly explained modules that virtually guarantee a passing grade if you pay attention.
I have had my food handlers card in the past and went through a different website to obtain it. I got this website from my current supervisor and honestly this website was very informative. Considering that this is women owned, things are explained in a good detail. 1.5 hours of this does seem long but it is not. I learned some new information from the last time I took it and also the final exam was 40 questions. Final exam questions were fairly simple and reflected everything that was talked about.
easy and concise to follow
It was informative and good learning material.
Well worth it & Very Recommended
Very Easy & Recommended
Me gusto lo bien explicados que estan los modulos y la informacion tan importante
The information was clear and concise.
Modules was short and to the point. Very informative on food handling.
Accessed through mobile phone and found the course to be a bit slow
Definitely interesting. I’ve had to take this course several times over my life and this one kept my attention well. The narrator used had a good voice and having to interact at times kept me on my toes. I liked it overall and will be back if available when it is time to do it again.
The information makes one aware of how to protect yourself and your loved ones from needless illnesses by using preventive measures, common sense and paying attention to the potetntial hazards and cross contamination when it comes to handing food. This info also keeps me alert when I am being served in a restaurant. Just recently, I was at a restaurant, and was served my meal with white bread instead of pita bread. I brought it to the server’s attention, he apologized and he grabbed the two pieces of bread off my plate. We thought that was kind of weird, but at least he was nice about it, and wearing gloves. However, he touched other things with his gloves, since he was busy serving other people. If I knew then, that that would’ve been a violation, I think I would’ve told the manager, instead of letting it go. Even though some of this info is common sense, it is helpful to bring the topic up with an explanation to back up the standards. Otherwise, it is very easy to let things slide. Also, there are specific info that I wasn’t aware of, like how many degrees should you receive food when hot or when cold. Overall, this course was very insightful. I kept thinking my whole family should take this course, so we can all be on the same page. I also feel the need to practice these guidelines regularly in my own home kitchen.
simple and informative.
This course goes into great depth and provides an in depth understanding of food safety.
Great program
Easy and straight to the point
This course was sufficient in preparing me for the food handlers test