Attorney General: eFoodHandler certificates worthless

SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington attorney general’s office says food handler certificates issued through the eFoodhandlers website are not valid in the state. Food service workers should obtain a food worker card from their local health department office. The Tacoma-Pierce County health department is the only one in the state approved for online training and certification. The Spokane Regional Health District offers food worker cards online, using the Tacoma-Pierce County system, that are valid in Spokane County, officials said. About 11,000 people in Washington with a permit from eFoodhandlers must take an exam for a permit from an authorized source. The attorney general’s office said Monday those people will receive restitution from eFoodhandlers. Under a settlement with the state, they should receive refunds by September in the mail. Most checks are under $20 and the total is about $120,000. An email requesting eFoodhanlders’ comment on the settlement was sent through its website.