Free food handler course in English to work in Spain

What is the “carnet de manipulador de alimentos”?

In Spain, anyone who handles food at work (waiters, cooks, kitchen assistants, supermarket staff, school canteen monitors, delivery staff…) must be trained in food hygiene. People still call it the “carnet de manipulador de alimentos”, although since 2010 there is no official card: the employer must make sure staff are trained and be able to prove it, usually with a training certificate.

This course gives you exactly that: the training, in your language, and a certificate in Spanish that you can show at a job interview or during an inspection.

Why the certificate is in Spanish

You learn in English, but the certificate is issued in Spanish because it is the document employers, managers and health inspectors in Spain read and verify. It includes your name, your ID number (DNI, NIE or passport), the hours, the contents and the regulations, plus a QR code linked to the public verification page.

Who needs it

What you will learn

1. Food handlers and Spanish/EU food hygiene law.
2. Food contamination and cross-contamination.
3. Microorganisms, foodborne illness and Anisakis.
4. Personal hygiene and hand washing.
5. Storage, temperatures and the cold chain.
6. Cleaning, disinfection and pest control.
7. The 14 allergens and food intolerances.
8. HACCP self-checking (APPCC in Spanish).
9. Law 1/2025 on preventing food waste.

Regulations covered

• Regulation (EC) 852/2004Hygiene of foodstuffs: food handlers must be trained (Annex II, Chapter XII).
• Real Decreto 109/2010Abolished the official card: the employer guarantees and proves training.
• Regulation (EU) 1169/2011Food information to consumers: the 14 allergens.
• Ley 1/2025Prevention of food loss and waste.