ServSafe
Get your ServSafe Certification from a trusted educational institution, Purdue University!
ServSafe is an educational program developed by the National Restaurant Association to aid restaurants and other retail food handlers comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) code (law) to ensure public safety. The FDA Code requires that food establishments obtain a Food Manager certification accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ServSafe Food Protection Manager course is one course that meets this requirement. In the state of Indiana, the state Department of Health and Food Protection Program serves as the enforcement and oversight agency of the FDA code through the Indiana Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements.
Contact Us
Purdue Department of Food Science
745 Agriculture Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907
What is ServSafe Certification?
ServSafe certification means that you have obtained sufficient knowledge about food and beverage safety and handling to earn one of the certificates.
Who needs Food Manager Certification?
Retail food establishments in Indiana must obtain an ANSI-accredited Food Manager certification, such as ServSafe Food Protection Manager. Retail food establishments may include restaurants, food trucks, school cafeterias, hospitals, etc.
Who needs Food Handler Certification?
People who are serving and/or handling food and/or beverages outside of their home to people who are not their family or friends should take the ServSafe Food Handler course. Additionally, as of July 1, 2022, IC 16-42-5.3 requires that all home-based vendors obtain a food handler certificate from a certificate issuer that is accredited by ANSI. ServSafe Food Handler training fulfills this requirement.
Purdue University Office of Student Activities and Organizations (SAO) requires that when organizations plan to have self-prepared food served at an event, a ServSafe food handler be on site for food preparation and distribution.
Why Purdue’s ServSafe Program?
Purdue University is recognized as a global leader in delivering education. We make science-based decisions based on data. Our historical data indicates that people have a much higher exam pass rate in our face to face ServSafe Certification trainings than those who take an online program. Most Indiana counties have Extension Educators who are trained to offer ServSafe training and certification exams. Check the calendars for ServSafe Food Protection Manager or ServSafe Food Handler to view upcoming trainings and locations.