Hygiene Passport
Hygiene passport training and test: ensure your hygiene competence
Safe handling of food is a key part of food safety. The hygiene passport is an official proof that an employee has basic knowledge of food hygiene and the skills to work hygienically, for example in a kitchen or a food retail environment.
Who needs a Hygiene Passport?
People working in the food industry must understand the basics of food hygiene to ensure food is handled safely.
An employee needs a hygiene passport if their work involves handling unpackaged, easily perishable food in a food premises, for example:
- food store
- restaurant
- food kiosk
- café
- institutional kitchen
- catering service
- food manufacturing plants
- any other facility classified as a food premises where unpackaged food is handled.
When do you need to get a Hygiene Passport?
The passport is not mandatory from the very first day of work. According to the rule, it must be obtained once the employee has accumulated a total of three months of work in a role that requires a hygiene passport. Previous work periods are also counted toward this time, so even short-term jobs contribute to the three-month total.
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees receive the necessary orientation and that hygiene competence is in order. Ultimately, the employer is responsible for making sure that everyone in positions requiring it has a valid hygiene passport.
Hygiene Passport Test: Requirements, topics, and passing criteria
The test is conducted in a supervised setting in written form, either in Finnish, Swedish, or English. The questions are based on the key principles of food hygiene, such as the importance of personal hygiene, storage temperatures, preventing cross-contamination, and cleaning practices.
The standard hygiene passport test allows 45 minutes to complete. To pass, you must score at least 34 out of 40 points.
In special situations, such as reading difficulties, language barriers, or disabilities, the test can be arranged with accommodations. The hygiene passport test cannot be taken electronically, remotely, in private homes, or abroad.
Training before the test is not mandatory.
For more information, visit the Finnish Food Authority’s website.
Frequently asked questions about the Hygiene Passport
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How long is the hygiene passport valid?
The hygiene passport is valid indefinitely and does not need to be renewed.
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Can I get a hygiene passport based on training?
Since the beginning of 2020, it is no longer possible to obtain a hygiene passport based on a degree or training. The only way to get a hygiene passport is to successfully pass the official hygiene passport test.
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When do I need a hygiene passport?
A hygiene passport is not required for everyone, but it is essential for certain job roles.
The Finnish Food Authority has compiled a table with examples of jobs where a hygiene passport is required, as well as examples of jobs where it is not needed.
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Meet the Trainer – Hannu Pekkala
Hannu Pekkala has over 23 years of experience in hygiene passport training across Finland, with the last five years focused especially in Lapland – in locations such as Levi, Ylläs, Rovaniemi, and Sodankylä. He has trained around 3,500 people from various sectors, including retail, restaurants, logistics, large-scale kitchens, and daycare centers.
In addition to his Master of Engineering (YAMK) degree, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Bio and Food Technology (AMK) and has a background in teacher education. As a trainer, he is known as an empathetic, knowledgeable, and approachable professional with extensive experience in the food industry and business consulting.
hannu.pekkala@redu.fi
040 527 0629
