Guidance for Exempted Public Spas

The following documents have been developed to support the implementation of recent changes to the Public Pools Regulation for newly and previously exempted public spas.

Short-Term Residential Swimming Pool Rentals by Private Homeowners

This document provides basic information for owners of residential pools who are using or considering using online platforms to enable the short-term rental of their pool to the public.

A Guide to Starting a Home-based Food Business

This is a step-by-step guide to starting a home-based food business, along with a brief overview of public health requirements that must be followed as a food operator.

Ontario’s Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Protocol (ON-FIORP)

The investigation of and response to multi-jurisdictional foodborne hazards or illness outbreaks in Ontario involves multiple levels of government with complementary responsibilities. To enhance the collaboration and overall effectiveness of government response during multi-jurisdictional foodborne hazards or illness outbreak investigations, government Parties collectively developed the Ontario Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Protocol (ON-FIORP).

Food Handler Training and Certification

In Ontario, every board of health ensures the availability of food handler training programs within the health unit. Programs offered by the public health units, or on their behalf under a formal agreement, qualify for provincial certification. All successful candidates of these programs receive a Provincial Food Handler Certification Card.

Contact your local health unit

Ministry of Health’s Provincial Food Handler Training Manual [PDF]

The content of the Ministry of Health’s Provincial Food Handler Training Manual has been reproduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) with the permission of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and is only available for use by public health units in Ontario. The reproduction of this document in whole or in part, is not permitted without the express written consent of the MOH. Applications for provincial recognition found to have reproduced this document, in whole or in part, will not be assessed and will be requested to immediately cease copying, reproducing or distributing the document and refrain from doing so in the future.

In addition to food handler training programs offered by the public health units, we recognize that other commercial/private entities, educational institutions, non-profit associations, etc., also offer food handler training and certification. The Ministry of Health (MOH) values and encourages these organizations to continue to promote food handler training, improving access to high quality food handler training in Ontario.

The programs listed below have applied and successfully been recognized by the MOH as meeting minimum requirements for food handler training and certification determined by the MOH. These food handler training programs are deemed to be equivalent to the training and certification offered by local public health units. All public health units in Ontario will accept certifications issued by these providers after the date that they are listed as equivalent. Public health units are not obligated to accept certifications issued by these providers before the date that they were deemed equivalent.

How to become a recognized provider

Non-public health unit providers (commercial/private entities, educational institutions, non-profit associations, etc.) of food handler training in Ontario are encouraged to apply to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to be evaluated for equivalency. Programs that are deemed to meet the requirements, and therefore be equivalent, will be recognized providers, and certificates issued will be accepted by all boards of health within Ontario.

To apply for food handler training and certification program recognition, providers must submit a completed Food Handler Program Equivalency Applicationform, along with relevant course material and requested documentation. To obtain the application materials and form, please contact us.

Submission does not grant automatic recognition; applications will be assessed based on standard program requirements. Additional requirements, modifications or changes to the program may be necessary to obtain recognition. If substantial modifications are made to the course once it has been recognized by the MOH, re-evaluation is required.

Once reviewed, MOH staff will communicate the results of the application to the applicant. Successful providers will be added to the above list of providers recognized as meeting the MOH requirements for food handler certification in Ontario.

There is no fee for becoming a recognized provider.

Inquiries can be directed to:

Health Protection and Surveillance Policy and Programs Branch
Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Public Health
BOX 12
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3
environmentalhealth@ontario.ca

Please note: Obtaining certification from a provider listed as equivalent signifies only that the cardholder has completed a course that meets the minimum requirements of the Ministry of Health. The cardholder is not affiliated in any respect nor is an officer, employee or agent of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Health (“HMQ”). The cardholder and HMQ are and shall at all times remain independent of each other and are not the agent, joint venturer, partner or employee of the other. HMQ shall not be responsible or liable for, or bound in any manner whatsoever, by any agreements, warranties or representations made by the cardholder to any other person or entity, nor with respect to any other action of the cardholder.

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