


















Education is the best tool to prevent, minimize, or eliminate foodborne illnesses and food hazards.
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 Iowa Food Handlers Card is a 100% online course that teaches essential food safety principles like hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, temperature control, and proper cleaning practices. The course takes about 1.5 hours and is available in English and Spanish.
Anyone who handles unpackaged food, food-contact equipment, utensils, or surfaces in a food service setting, including restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and grocery stores, can benefit from the Food Handler Course.
The Iowa Food Handler course costs only $6.95, making it one of the state’s most affordable ways to meet food safety training needs.
The Food Handler Course is 100% online, accessible 24/7 on any device. You can take it at your own pace, whenever it fits your schedule best.
Yes. The Iowa Food Handler course is approved and accredited to meet state standards. It’s valid for use in all counties across Iowa.
The Food Handler Course is available in English and Spanish, so learners can choose the language that suits them best.
Certificates typically remain valid for 3 years. Check with your employer or local health authority for specific expiration or renewal requirements.
A Food Handler Card qualifies you for roles like prep cook, server, dishwasher, deli worker, grocery clerk, food truck staff, and more—any position where food safety knowledge is essential.
Iowa permits the sale of non-potentially hazardous, shelf-stable foods that don’t need refrigeration. Examples include baked goods without cream fillings, fruit jams and jellies, candies, dry mixes, granola, popcorn, and other products safely stored at room temperature.
Completing food handler training shows employers you’re serious about food safety. It can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs and help you prevent foodborne illness in the workplace.
Yes. Group purchasing options with bulk discounts are available. You can assign the course to employees, monitor their progress, and ensure food safety compliance across your team.
In Iowa, ANAB recognition is essential for Food Protection Manager Certification programs to ensure compliance with state regulations and national food safety standards.
Yes. The Iowa food handler certificate course follows the 2022 FDA Food Code to ensure you learn current food safety best practices recognized at both the state and federal levels.
For official food safety guidance in Iowa, contact the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
No, if you’re selling only non-potentially hazardous foods under Iowa’s Cottage Food Law, food safety training is not required. However, completing a Food Handler certificate from an ANSI Accredited provider is strongly recommended to ensure safe food handling practices and enhance consumer confidence.
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
Took me 45 mins
This test could be a little long but it is very informative and allows you to rewatch and go back to review.
Helped me learn ways to be cautious with food handling.
Audio didn’t work at first and I had to switch to my tablet. After that everything went well.
I definitely learned all I needed to, and it was quick and easy, but there were some modules where the audio wouldn’t come on so I had to turn on and read the subtitles. It wasn’t necessarily bad, just inconvenient
Informative but could be more summarized
Nice
Pay attention to the numbers.
Questions on exam meant to stump, not to actually prove proficiency.
GOOD COURSE
This test was very informative. I learned a lot about handling food and I can use this information throughout my day to day life.
I understand most of the things need to be gone over but some of it didn’t need to be taken care of in such a long manner. I feel like a good quarter of what was said was a waste of time or took too long to cover. It took at least an hour to get through the training portion when it was mostly stuff I knew already or didn’t pertain to me. Glad it is very thorough though, I guess. I just feel like it could be shortened or some things could be gone over less.
Please let us take the exam without the training. It takes way to much time for those of us who have taken it multiple times before.
it was okay but it was confusing and had trouble moving to the next module
The robo voice was very hard to pay attention to, and if I hadn’t found this site on a government website I would be concerned about the legitimacy of this course.