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Germany Food Hygiene Briefing Knowledge Quiz 2026

Before you first work with high-risk foods or in a restaurant or canteen kitchen in Germany, you need a briefing from the health office under § 43 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). It is a briefing with a signed declaration, not a national exam, so this is a knowledge quiz. It covers who needs the certificate, which illnesses bar you from food work, your duties and your employer's, and the BfR kitchen hygiene rules.

  • Food safety
  • Germany
  • 40 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

Pass mark: No national exam. You attend the briefing, sign a declaration and receive a certificate. Some online briefings end with a short comprehension check. There is no time limit. It is run by Local health office (Gesundheitsamt) or a doctor commissioned by it. Practise here for free with 40 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Germany Food Hygiene Briefing Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 20

    What is the briefing under § 43 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG)?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A health office briefing on illnesses and duties for people who will work with food

    Before you first work with certain foods, the health office (Gesundheitsamt) or a doctor it appoints must brief you and give you a certificate.

  2. Question 2 of 20

    Who issues the certificate (Bescheinigung) after the § 43 IfSG briefing?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The local health office (Gesundheitsamt) or a doctor commissioned by it

    Only the Gesundheitsamt or a doctor it has commissioned can issue the certificate.

  3. Question 3 of 20

    How old may the certificate be on your first working day with food?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No more than 3 months

    The certificate must not be older than three months when you first start the work.

  4. Question 4 of 20

    You started a food job within 3 months of your briefing. How long is the certificate valid after that?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. For life, even if you change jobs

    Once you started in time, the certificate stays valid for life, also after a job change or a long break.

  5. Question 5 of 20

    What do many people still call the § 43 IfSG certificate in everyday speech?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Gesundheitszeugnis (health certificate)

    Cologne's official page calls it the Bescheinigung-Belehrung, formerly known as the Gesundheitszeugnis.

  6. Question 6 of 20

    Is there a medical examination as part of the normal § 43 IfSG briefing?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, it is a briefing plus a written declaration that you know of no reason that bars you

    You are briefed and then declare in writing that you know of no facts that would bar you. A doctor's certificate is only needed if there are signs of a problem.

  7. Question 7 of 20

    Is there an exam at the end of the § 43 IfSG briefing?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No national exam; some online briefings add a short comprehension check

    The law requires a briefing and a declaration, not an exam. Cologne's online version, for example, ends with an eight-question check you can retake.

  8. Question 8 of 20

    In Berlin, in which language is the in-person § 43 briefing held?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. German; people who need help should bring an interpreter

    Berlin's service page says the briefing is in German and people without enough German should bring someone to interpret.

  9. Question 9 of 20

    Which job needs the § 43 IfSG certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Preparing or selling unpackaged meat, dairy, fish or ice cream, or working in a restaurant kitchen

    The rule covers people handling listed high-risk foods, and people working in kitchens of restaurants and canteens.

  10. Question 10 of 20

    Which of these food groups is listed in § 42 IfSG as high-risk?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Egg products

    § 42 lists meat, milk products, fish and seafood, egg products, baby food, ice cream and bakery goods with unbaked fillings, among others.

  11. Question 11 of 20

    A cake has a cream filling that was not baked or heated. Is it a high-risk food under § 42 IfSG?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yes, bakery goods with unbaked or unheated fillings are listed

    Bakery products with a filling or topping that is not fully baked or heated are on the list.

  12. Question 12 of 20

    Does a dishwasher in a canteen kitchen need the briefing?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yes, work in restaurant and canteen kitchens is covered, including washing up

    The health office notice lists kitchen staff in restaurants and communal catering, including dishwashing and cleaning staff.

  13. Question 13 of 20

    Which illness bars you from working with these foods under § 42 IfSG?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Salmonellosis or another infectious gastroenteritis

    § 42 lists typhoid, paratyphoid, cholera, shigellosis, salmonellosis, other infectious gastroenteritis, and hepatitis A or E.

  14. Question 14 of 20

    Which type of viral hepatitis is named in § 42 IfSG as a reason you may not work with food?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hepatitis A or E

    Hepatitis A and E spread through food and water, so § 42 bars people with them from food work.

  15. Question 15 of 20

    What does the official briefing sheet count as diarrhoea that bars you from food work?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Three or more loose stools in 24 hours

    The Belehrungsbogen describes infectious diarrhoea as at least three loose stools in 24 hours, possibly with nausea, vomiting or fever.

  16. Question 16 of 20

    From what body temperature does the official briefing sheet count fever as a warning sign?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 38.5 °C or higher

    The sheet lists fever of 38.5 °C or more among the symptoms that may point to an illness that bars you from food work.

  17. Question 17 of 20

    Which symptom may point to hepatitis A or E?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Yellowing of the skin and eyes

    Weakness, loss of appetite and yellow skin and eyes are typical signs of hepatitis A or E.

  18. Question 18 of 20

    A cut on your hand is red, swollen, weeping and has a greasy coating. What does this mean for food work?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It may be an infected wound, which bars you from handling the listed foods

    § 42 bars people with infected wounds or skin diseases that could pass germs into food. Warning signs are redness, swelling, weeping and a greasy coating.

  19. Question 19 of 20

    A stool test shows salmonella, but you feel completely well. May you work with these foods?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, excreting salmonella bars you even without symptoms

    § 42 also bars people who excrete salmonella, shigella, EHEC or cholera bacteria, even if they feel well.

  20. Question 20 of 20

    You get repeated diarrhoea and vomiting while working in a kitchen. What must you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Tell your supervisor at once and see a doctor, saying that you work with food

    § 43 requires you to tell your employer straight away. Tell the doctor about your food job so they can advise you.

What to know before the test

  • Before you first handle the listed foods or work in a restaurant or canteen kitchen, you need a certificate from the Gesundheitsamt or a doctor it commissions.
  • The certificate must be no older than 3 months on your first working day. After that it stays valid for life.
  • § 42 IfSG bars people with diseases such as salmonellosis, other infectious gastroenteritis, hepatitis A or E, or infected wounds from this work.
  • You must tell your employer straight away if a reason that bars you arises after you start work.
  • Employers must instruct staff after they start and then every 2 years, and keep the records.
  • Employing someone without the required certificate can be fined up to €25,000.
  • The BfR publishes its kitchen hygiene leaflet in German, English and 11 other languages.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a test for the German Gesundheitszeugnis?

There is no national exam. The health office briefs you on illnesses and duties and you sign a declaration. Some online versions, such as Cologne's, end with a short check of eight questions.

How long is the § 43 IfSG certificate valid?

It must be no older than 3 months when you start your first food job. After that it is valid for life, also if you change employer.

Can I do the briefing in English?

It depends on the health office. Berlin holds it in German and asks people to bring an interpreter. Some online briefings let you choose a language. Check with your local Gesundheitsamt.

How much does the briefing cost?

Fees are set locally. On the official pages checked in October 2026, Berlin charged €30 for a group briefing and Cologne €25.

What happens if I get sick after I start work?

If you have symptoms such as repeated diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, yellow skin or an infected wound, tell your supervisor at once, do not handle food, and see a doctor.

Sources

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