← BlogJanuary 20, 20235 min readEditorial teamDEUAENRU
For workers
Section 43 IfSG Briefing: Required for Working With Food in Germany
Planning to start in a hotel kitchen, a restaurant or a canteen? Then you usually need a certificate under Section 43 of the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Here is how the briefing works and what to watch for.
Who needs the briefing
The rule applies to people who commercially produce, handle or sell certain foods. Examples are meat, fish, dairy and egg products, delicatessen items, ice cream or baked goods with a filling that is not fully baked. It also covers people who work in the kitchens of restaurants, canteens, hospitals and similar facilities or who serve food there.
That means kitchen helpers, cooks, breakfast service staff and catering staff. If you only clean rooms and do not handle food, you usually do not need it. If in doubt, ask your employer.
The first briefing: how it works
You take the first briefing before you start the job for the first time. It is given by the local health authority (Gesundheitsamt) or an authorised doctor. Some offices schedule an appointment in person, others offer an online course followed by a certificate. The briefing takes about one hour. Afterwards you receive a certificate that must be no older than three months when you start work.
The fee depends on the office and is usually modest. Before your appointment, ask about the current price and which documents to bring, for example an ID card or passport.
What the briefing covers
You learn which illnesses mean you must not work with food. These include typhoid, cholera, salmonella and other contagious gastrointestinal infections, hepatitis A and E, as well as infected wounds or certain skin diseases. You also learn the key hygiene rules and what to do if you have symptoms.
Important: if you notice signs of such an illness, tell your employer immediately. You then must not work with food for the time being.
Follow-up briefing by your employer
After you start, your employer has to repeat the briefing every two years and document it. The health office certificate stays with the employer and must be available at the workplace. Keep a copy if you change jobs, as it makes the next start easier.
Common mistakes
- Starting work before the certificate is available.
- The certificate is older than three months.
- Not reporting diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Forgetting to document or request the follow-up briefing.
Practical tips
- Ask before you travel whether the briefing is needed.
- Book the appointment with your local health office early.
- Bring a valid ID.
- Keep the certificate safe.
- Our article on documents for working in Germany and the checklist before working abroad cover what else you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the briefing as a temp or intern?
Yes, if your work involves the foods mentioned. The rule depends on the activity, not on the type of contract.
How long is the certificate valid?
It must be no older than three months when you start. After that, your employer repeats the briefing every two years.
Who pays for the first briefing?
Usually you pay the fee yourself, but it is typically a small amount. Ask your employer whether they cover it.
Is the certificate valid in every federal state?
The briefing under the Infection Protection Act is regulated nationwide. Still, ask your employer whether they accept your certificate.