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 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 ANABÂ is responsible for evaluating and recognizing programs that meet nationally accepted food safety standards. The ANABÂ 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,Â
Contact the Food Safety Branch of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH):
525-535 West Jefferson Street,Â
Springfield, Illinois 62761.
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
The course was well done. The loading time was awful.
very informative
I was thankful for the illustrations the clear speaking and the message being delivered at a level I could understand it was informative and accurate!
I learned a lot about how food is handled and it was very informative and helpful
Easy to follow and very informative
Information was more relevant than in other courses I’ve taken.
it was told in very simple terms – very easy to understan
Easy to move through course and full of great information
It is very detail oriented that I haven’t seen in other courses and goes a lot more into depth which I can appreciate.
EASY TO FOLLOW
I learned a lot and the videos were short
Very knowledgeable!
very easy to use, and very informative
Super easy to follow and imformative