Attorney General: Internet company handed out thousands of fake food handler certificates to Washingtonians

(Photo: KCPQ-TV)



SEATTLE – More than 11,000 Washingtonians are owned money after purchasing worthless food handler certificates from an internet based company said the Attorney General’s Office.

Many food service workers discovered that the certificates were fake after they were required to retake the food handler test by an employer or some were even shutdown by local health inspectors.

“Consumers paid for a worthless piece of paper,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “eFoodhandlers’ deceptive practices made it difficult for food service workers to keep a job and businesses to stay open. My office will not tolerate deceptive business practices.”

The state requires food service workers to have a food worker card, but the state says the only entity approved to provide training and certification online is the Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health Department.

eFoodhandlers charged for $10 a piece for fake certifications.  Now Ferguson says the Oregon based company has agreed to refund more than $120,000 to 11,000 consumers.  The company also has to pay $40,000 to the state.

eFoodhandlers will mail checks to affected consumers’ last known address by September 2015.