Who Needs San Diego County Food Handler Certification?

📜 San Diego County Food Handler Certification Requirements

The Alcohol & Food Safety Institute (AFSI) San Diego County Food Handler Certification Course is an approved food handler training course designed to meet San Diego County food safety training requirements.

✅ Required Food Handler Training in San Diego County

The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) requires food handlers working in food facilities to obtain a valid San Diego County Food Handler Card or complete an approved County-recognized food handler training program.

Not all California food handler courses are accepted in San Diego County. Food handlers must complete a course specifically approved for San Diego County.

⏰ Training Deadline

📅 Within 30 Days of Hire

Food handlers must maintain a valid food handler card while employed in a position that requires food handling duties. (LegiInfo)

👥 Who Is Considered a Food Handler?

A Food Handler is an individual who works in a food facility and performs duties involving:

🍽️ Preparation of food
🛠️ Storage of food
🍴 Service of food
🔄 Handling of food, utensils, equipment, or food-contact surfaces

Examples may include:

👨‍🍳 Cooks and kitchen staff
🍽️ Servers and food service employees handling food or food-contact items
🧼 Dishwashers handling utensils and food equipment
🥤 Employees involved in food preparation or service activities
🏪 Other employees performing food handling duties

📘San Diego County Food Handler Certification Course

The Alcohol & Food Safety Institute (AFSI) San Diego County Food Handler Certification Course is an approved food handler training course designed to meet San Diego County food safety training requirements.

Our course provides food handlers with the essential knowledge and skills needed to safely handle food, prevent contamination, and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

The course covers important food safety practices, including:

✅ Personal hygiene and proper handwashing
✅ Preventing cross-contamination
✅ Safe food temperatures and time control
✅ Proper food storage and handling procedures
✅ Cleaning and sanitizing food-contact surfaces
✅ Employee health responsibilities
✅ Prevention of foodborne illness

⭐ Course Length & Certificate Validity

The AFSI San Diego County Food Handler Certification Course is:

⏱️ Approximately 90 Minutes in Length

Upon successful completion, employees receive a:

🏆 San Diego County Food Handler Card

The food handler card is:

⏳ Valid for Three (3) Years

Food handlers must complete renewal training through an approved food handler training school before the card expires. (County of San Diego)

🛡️ Why Food Handler Training Matters

Proper food safety training protects:

👥 Customers — by reducing the risk of foodborne illness
🏢 Food Facilities — by supporting compliance with San Diego County requirements
👨‍🍳 Food Handlers — by providing the knowledge needed to safely perform their job duties

Well-trained food handlers play an essential role in maintaining safe food preparation practices and protecting public health.

📋 San Diego County Food Handler Compliance Summary