$120K Worth of Food Handler Certificates Returned
AGO lawsuit returns approximately $120K to over 11,000 consumers for purchase of worthless food handler certificates.
SEATTLE - July 07, 2014 - A Washington State Attorney General’s Office lawsuit has stopped deceptive business practices and will return money to over 11,000 Washington state consumers. These consumers purchased worthless food handler certificates from eFoodhandlers, Inc. that do not comply with Washington state law.
“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.”
Some food service workers reported they first discovered their certificates were worthless from their employers or by health department inspectors. Those workers were required to take the examination again and obtain valid documentation from an authorized source.
In some instances, food service establishments reported being temporarily shut down or had points docked by health department inspectors for hiring employees who had purchased eFoodhandlers’ useless certificates.