AAA Food Handler is a nationally recognized provider of ANAB-accredited food safety training. The New Jersey Food Handlers Card program provides essential food safety education for employees and employers to meet local county requirements and maintain safe food handling practices.
New Jersey does not require a statewide food handler certificate. However, certain counties and cities require food handler training to comply with local regulations. Training is recommended for all food service employees to ensure safe food handling.
Bergen, Passaic, and Somerset counties, and the cities of Bergenfield, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Hillsborough, Lyndhurst, Montvale, Paterson, Rutherford, and Teaneck.
AAA Food Handler training is approved and accepted in these locations.
Section Summary:
Food handler training may be mandatory in certain counties and cities, while statewide it is voluntary but recommended.
The New Jersey Food Handlers Card course delivers foundational food safety training for individuals handling unpackaged food in food service environments.
Course Highlights:
Important Note:
Completion of this course does not replace additional local or county-specific requirements where in-person training or exams may still apply.
Section Summary:
The course builds essential food safety knowledge and provides employer-recognized documentation.
Regulatory Authority:
New Jersey Department of Health – Public Health and Food Protection Program
PO Box 369, Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: 609-826-4935
Email: phfpp@doh.nj.gov
Website: Department of Health | Environmental Health | Retail Food
| Requirement | Details |
| Certificate Required | No (statewide) |
| County/Local Requirement | Required in Bergen, Passaic, Somerset counties and listed cities |
| AAA Food Handler Acceptance | Yes, approved online training |
| Certificate Expiration | 2–3 years in counties/cities with requirements |
| Training Hours Required | 3–4 hours, depending on the county/city |
| Recertification Required | Yes, in counties/cities with requirements |
| Who Needs a Certificate | All food handlers in counties/cities with requirements |
Section Summary:
Local counties and cities may require certificates, training hours, and fees. AAA Food Handler is recognized and accepted in all mandated locations.
Feature | Details |
Course Format | 100% Online |
Access Period | 3 Months from Purchase |
Course Duration | ~1.5 Hours |
Final Assessment | 40 Questions |
Passing Score | 70% |
Attempts Allowed | 2 |
Languages Available | English, Spanish |
Bulk Enrollment | Available for Businesses |



















Education helps prevent, minimize, and eliminate foodborne illnesses and food safety hazards before they occur.
Improves critical thinking and decision-making skills to handle food safety risks correctly.
Training helps eliminate unsafe food handling practices before they become serious issues.
Enables workers to recognize, reduce, and control the risk of improper food safety procedures.
Reducing food safety complaints will create a happier workplace and in turn increase productivity.
Serving safe food builds confidence, reduces stress, and improves employee and customer satisfaction.
Section Summary:
Food safety training protects public health and strengthens food service operations.
Section Summary:
AAA Food Handler delivers trusted, workforce-ready food safety training.
Numerous professionals nationwide have already earned and renewed their card with AAA Food Handler — a trusted name in food safety training.
The New Jersey Food Handlers Card is issued after completing a state-recognized food safety training program from the ANAB, which is accredited. This course educates food service employees on essential safety practices, including safe food handling, personal hygiene, preventing cross-contamination, minimizing foodborne illness risks, and keeping workspaces clean. It also includes information on New Jersey-specific food safety regulations. This card is crucial for individuals working in food preparation, service, or storage in restaurants, food trucks, cafeterias, and other food establishments across the state.
You must complete an ANAB accredited food safety course to obtain your New Jersey Food Handler Card. Once you complete the course and pass the exam, you’ll be awarded a Food Handler Card accepted throughout New Jersey.
The course costs $6.95 and offers bulk discount pricing for employers with multiple staff members.
The course takes approximately 1.5 hours and is available 24/7 online from any device.
The Food Handler course is in English and Spanish, making it easy for diverse teams to access and understand the material.
Topics include:
You’re allowed two attempts to pass the 40-question final exam, with a minimum passing score of 70%.
Managers can track, manage, and report employee progress using the course’s built-in tools, perfect for staying on top of compliance.
The course increases food safety awareness, reduces workplace risk, boosts productivity, and improves team satisfaction through safer practices.
The Food Handler Certificate Course helps eliminate hazards and reduce the risk of contamination or foodborne outbreaks by teaching correct food handling and hygiene techniques.
The certificate is valid across all counties in New Jersey, including Bergen, and complies with state and local food safety guidelines.
The course is accredited by the ANAB and meets the food safety standards required by the State of New Jersey. It is recognized across all counties, including Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, and Camden, and complies with statewide food handling regulations.
For official guidance on food safety regulations in New Jersey, contact:
New Jersey Department of Health – Food and Drug Safety Program
PO Box 369, Trenton, NJ 08625-0369
New Jersey’s Cottage Food Law allows the sale of non-potentially hazardous foods, including: Baked goods, jams, jellies, granola, dry mixes, honey, candies, and other shelf-stable foods.
Under New Jersey Department of Health, Cottage Food Operators manage their own business. Therefore, Food Protection Manager Certification is required.
Cottage food businesses can earn up to $50,000 in gross annual sales without a food establishment license. Sales must be direct to consumers.
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
I actually love it though there are ALOT of videos it was easier to understand and gather information
It was not that hard gets straight to point does not take long at all but still very helpful learned a lot about food
easy to follow, simple graphics/stock images, but I really appreciate subtitles and ability to speed up the instructing videos.
How it is so easy to contaminate food with foodborne illnesses.
I feel that the modules could have been combined a bit more.
This course was very interesting, Having worked in the food industry for over 40 yrs., it was a great way to re-learn and learn up to date standards in the food industry, .Highly recommend taking this coure
Get informed for proper handling of foods for your health and others health care
The process was easy to follow and informative.
This course was very informative. My attention is always drawn to prevention strategies, such the information discussed in this course, of any kind that serve to reduce or even eliminate bad outcomes. I learned a lot, and this was easy to understand. And, you can tell there is a lot of biology, chemistry, and public health knowledge here which also draws my attention. Now I am at least aware of the tools and procedures needed to protect the public which I can now use. I have a newfound respect for food handlers who are diligent in this aspect of their job. It is a sign they care and are protecting people like me. And now I can critique a business to determine if that entity is performing best practices for protecting the public including myself, and to not patronize a business that is not (better able to protect myself).
easy to understand
Short and clear information.
the course was clear and helpful.
it was good
I honestly think this is great I know how to be safe and how to prevent things from happening