Food Allergen Certification

If you run a food service business in Boston, your person in charge (PIC) must complete food allergen awareness training. This is the same “person in charge” role required for food manager certification. But allergen awareness is a separate credential. It has its own training and its own exam.

Your person in charge must be on-site during all operating hours. If they’re away, you need a backup person in charge. Your food manager certification backup only needs to understand the basics. Your allergen awareness backup must also hold an Allergen Awareness Certification. 

Who Is Exempt from This Certification?

You do not need this certification if your business or organization falls into one of these categories:

• No immediate food service: You do not cook, prepare, or serve food for immediate consumption.
• Nonprofit temporary events: You run a temporary food setup operated by a nonprofit.
• Schools and childcare programs: You have written food allergy policies and proof of state-recognized allergy training.

Hospitals and similar institutions serving specific populations are only exempt from the menu notice rule. You are still required to display the allergy poster and complete the required training.

You don’t submit paperwork to the City to get this certification. But you’ll need proof of certification for your Food Service Permit application.

There’s no City fee for this certification. Training costs are set by each provider.

Your training must cover four topics: 

1. The nine major food allergens.
2. The health risks of food allergies.
3. What to do when a customer says they have one.
4. Emergency steps if someone has a reaction.

You can meet this requirement three ways. 

1. Take a course accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
2. Complete training through Food Allergy Research and Education’s (FARE) FAREcheck program. 
3. Take any course with an interactive video, a knowledge exam, and the required topics. 

Contact Boston’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD) if you have questions about this requirement.

Once you’re certified, you have three more things to do. 

1. Post an approved allergen awareness poster where your staff can see it. 
2. Train your other staff on allergen awareness. Training should match each person’s job. Kitchen staff need different information than servers.
3. Add a notice to your menus and menu boards. 

Your menu notice must use this exact sentence: “Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.” Temporary stickers or labels on printed menus are acceptable.

Your allergen awareness certification is valid for five years. You’ll need to retake an approved course before it expires.