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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.

  • Hygiène alimentaire
  • Allemagne
  • 40 questions
  • Vérifié le 11 octobre 2026

En bref

Pour réussir : No national exam. You attend the briefing, sign a declaration and receive a certificate. Some online briefings end with a short comprehension check. Il n’y a pas de limite de temps. Organisé par : Local health office (Gesundheitsamt) or a doctor commissioned by it. Entraînez-vous ici gratuitement avec 40 questions, chacune avec la réponse et une explication. Vérifié à partir des sources officielles le 11 octobre 2026.

À lire avant de vous entraînerCommencez par le guide « Germany Food Hygiene Briefing Study Guide » : des notes en langage clair, des schémas et les chiffres à retenir.

  1. Question 1 sur 20

    What is the briefing under § 43 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG)?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    Who issues the certificate (Bescheinigung) after the § 43 IfSG briefing?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    How old may the certificate be on your first working day with food?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. No more than 3 months

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

  4. Question 4 sur 20

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

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    What do many people still call the § 43 IfSG certificate in everyday speech?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. Gesundheitszeugnis (health certificate)

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

  6. Question 6 sur 20

    Is there a medical examination as part of the normal § 43 IfSG briefing?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    Is there an exam at the end of the § 43 IfSG briefing?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    In Berlin, in which language is the in-person § 43 briefing held?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    Which job needs the § 43 IfSG certificate?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    Which of these food groups is listed in § 42 IfSG as high-risk?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

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

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    Does a dishwasher in a canteen kitchen need the briefing?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    Which illness bars you from working with these foods under § 42 IfSG?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. Salmonellosis or another infectious gastroenteritis

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

  14. Question 14 sur 20

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

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    What does the official briefing sheet count as diarrhoea that bars you from food work?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    From what body temperature does the official briefing sheet count fever as a warning sign?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    Which symptom may point to hepatitis A or E?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

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

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    A stool test shows salmonella, but you feel completely well. May you work with these foods?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 20

    You get repeated diarrhoea and vomiting while working in a kitchen. What must you do?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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.

À savoir avant l’examen

  • 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.

Questions fréquentes

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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