On Focus Solutions · Online training
Virginia Allergen Awareness Training
Always Food Safe · ANAB-accredited program
Earn your allergen awareness certificate with online, video-based training. Learn to recognize allergen risks, prevent cross-contact, and communicate clearly with guests and coworkers.
About 1 hour of training. Available in English and Spanish. Download your certificate after passing the assessment.
Produced by Always Food Safe. Offered through On Focus Solutions.
Made for foodservice
For the people preparing, serving, and supervising food.
Build practical food allergy awareness across your kitchen and service team. Always Food Safe describes this training for managers, food handlers, and servers in its Virginia course overview.
- Owners and persons in charge: strengthen the knowledge you use to train staff and handle allergy requests.
- Managers and supervisors: support consistent communication between the front of house and kitchen.
- Cooks, servers, and other team members: learn practices relevant to food preparation and guest service.
Virginia places responsibility on the person in charge to ensure employees receive food safety training, including food allergy awareness, appropriate to their assigned duties.
Virginia requirements
Training is one part of your establishment’s responsibilities.
VDH’s food-regulation update, effective September 10, 2026, says the person in charge must ensure food employees are trained to know the nine major food allergens and the symptoms of an allergic reaction. See the Virginia Department of Health update.
- Know the nine allergens: milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanut, and sesame.
- Training is not a blanket purchase mandate: the cited employee-training duty and VDH update do not specify that every employee must buy a particular allergen certificate. Review the training duty and current update, and confirm expectations with your regulator.
- Beyond staff training: VDH also requires disclosure of major food allergens in food, including for mobile and temporary food establishments. A stand-alone handout can be used.
Use this course as part of your team’s training, alongside procedures specific to your menu and workplace. A course certificate alone does not establish full regulatory compliance, and this course is not food manager certification. Ask your local health department or other applicable regulator about your establishment.
What you will learn
Six chapters, from allergen basics to safer service.
The course covers allergen recognition, communication, cross-contact prevention, and responses to allergic reactions.
Allergens and the Law
Explore food allergen responsibilities and the importance of safe foodservice practices.
Introduction to Allergens
Understand food allergies, intolerances, symptoms of a reaction, and emergency procedures.
Recognizing Major Allergens
Learn about common allergen sources, hidden ingredients, and the importance of clear labeling.
Recipe Creation to Storage
Consider allergen risks in recipes, ingredient information, suppliers, and food storage.
Preparation Through to Service
Help reduce cross-contact while preparing food and communicating allergy requests across the team.
Cleaning & Personal Hygiene
Learn how cleaning, handwashing, and personal hygiene support allergen risk reduction.
Your next steps
Enroll. Learn. Complete your assessment.
Work through the training at your own pace. Keep your certificate with your training records.
- Register through On Focus SolutionsChoose the number of learners and complete your registration. Follow the course-access instructions provided with your enrollment.
- Complete the online trainingStudy the video-based lessons in English or Spanish. The provider estimates about 1 hour of training; your pace may vary. See the course overview.
- Pass and download your certificateComplete the assessment with a score of 75% or higher, then download or print your certificate.
Training more than one person?
Register multiple learners through On Focus Solutions. Tuition is $19.95 per learner.
Choose the right course for your role.
This course is produced by Always Food Safe, not ServSafe. If your employer requests a specific brand or course, contact On Focus Solutions before enrolling so you can choose the appropriate training.
Before you enroll
Virginia allergen awareness FAQs
How much does the course cost?
Tuition through On Focus Solutions is $19.95 per learner. The course includes online training, an assessment, and a downloadable certificate after successful completion.
Who needs allergen awareness training in Virginia?
Virginia’s person-in-charge duties include ensuring employees receive food safety training, including food allergy awareness, as it relates to their assigned duties. The September 2026 VDH update specifies training food employees to know the nine major allergens and symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Does every employee have to buy this certificate?
The cited Virginia training duty and VDH update do not require every employee to purchase this particular course or a paid allergen certificate. This course is an option for structured learning and a certificate after passing; confirm any course-specific expectations with your employer or regulator.
How long does the training take, and which languages are available?
Always Food Safe lists approximately 1 hour of online video training, available in English and Spanish. Choose your language carefully: the provider says you cannot switch languages after starting.
What score do I need to pass?
The provider lists a 40-question online assessment with a 75% passing score. Complete the learning material before taking the assessments.
How long is the course certificate valid?
Always Food Safe lists a three-year certificate term in its Virginia course information. This is the provider’s certificate term, not a statement that Virginia requires a paid renewal every three years. Check your issued certificate and confirm your employer’s or regulator’s expectations.
Will I receive a downloadable certificate?
Yes. After completing the training and passing the assessment, you can download your certificate as a PDF and save or print it..
Does this replace food manager certification or other requirements?
No. This is a separate allergen awareness course, not certified food protection manager training. Your establishment must also address applicable food-safety and allergen-disclosure responsibilities.
What if I am unsure which training my establishment needs?
For help choosing or registering for this course, contact On Focus Solutions before purchasing.
Build stronger allergen awareness across your team.
Online training from Always Food Safe, offered through On Focus Solutions for $19.95 per learner.
Questions before enrolling? Contact On Focus Solutions.