About FoodHandlerGear

FoodHandlerGear is a small independent site for US food workers: the line cooks, baristas, grocery clerks, and food truck crews who need a food handler card to do their jobs.

We publish two kinds of content:

• Study guides — plain-language explainers on what the food handler exam actually tests, state-by-state certification requirements, a free practice test, and key food safety terms. Written for first-time test takers, not textbook readers.
• Gear guides — practical buying guides and comparisons for the tools food workers use every day: food thermometers, cut-resistant gloves, safety posters, and more.

Teachers, librarians and job-training programs are welcome to link to, project and print anything here. Our page for teachers and librarians collects every free test and printable in one place.

About the author

Daniel Rourke is a food-safety writer covering kitchen gear and handler certification. He writes FoodHandlerGear's guides from the FDA Food Code and accredited course material, translated into plain language for working food handlers.

How we research and review

We're a small editorial team, not a training provider, and nothing here is sponsored. Here is how the guides get made:

• Exam and food-safety content is written from the FDA Food Code and the material used by accredited food handler courses, then simplified into plain language. Every temperature, time limit, and concentration on this site is checked against those sources before it is published.
• State requirement pages cite the statute, rule, or health department page they are based on and carry a "last reviewed" date. When state rules change — as California's did with SB 476 in 2024 — we update the page and the date.
• Gear guides compare product types first (what a line cook actually needs from a thermometer or a glove), then name specific products that meet food-service standards such as NSF listing, ANSI/ISEA cut levels, or food-contact approval. We weigh manufacturer specifications, how the product type is used in professional kitchens, and verified buyer feedback, and we say plainly when a pick is a compromise. We do not accept free products or payment for placement.
• Corrections: if you find an error, tell us. We fix mistakes quickly and note substantive changes on the page.

How we make money

This site participates in the Amazon Associates program. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That keeps the guides free. Affiliate links are marked “(paid link)” wherever they appear. Our recommendations are our honest opinions — we never accept payment for placement, and we say so on our affiliate disclosure page.

A note on accuracy

Food handler requirements vary by state and county and change over time. Our guides are general information, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with your local health department or employer.