CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Make sure no food handler works with an expired medical examination
Every food handler in Colombia needs a medical fitness certificate, and the company must arrange a medical examination at least once a year (Article 11(1) of Resolución 2674 de 2013). There is no grace period; the health authority may impose the safety measures and sanctions of Ley 09 de 1979 (Article 52).
Resolución 2674 de 2013 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection sets the sanitary requirements for natural and legal persons that manufacture, process, prepare, pack, store, transport, distribute and sell food (Article 1) and applies throughout the country (Article 2). A food handler is anyone directly involved, permanently or occasionally, in the manufacture, processing, preparation, packing, storage, transport and sale of food (Article 3).
Food-handling staff must hold a medical certificate stating whether or not they are fit to handle food, and the company must take steps so that they have a medical examination at least once a year (Article 11(1)). A medical examination must also be carried out whenever it is considered necessary for clinical and epidemiological reasons, especially after an absence from work caused by an infection that could leave after-effects capable of contaminating food; depending on the doctor's assessment, clinical laboratory or other tests are carried out (Article 11(2)). In all cases, the medical assessment results in a certificate of fitness or unfitness (Article 11(3)), and when a treatment ordered by the doctor ends, the doctor issues a new certificate (Article 11(4)).
The company is responsible for preventing food from being contaminated by anyone known or suspected to have a foodborne-transmissible disease, or who has infected wounds or skin irritations or diarrhoea, and any food handler posing such a risk must tell the company (Article 11(5)). Food handlers must also be trained in health education, Good Manufacturing Practice and hygiene, under a continuous training plan of at least 10 hours a year (Article 12). In restaurants and food-service establishments, the owner, the management and the food-handling staff are responsible for the safety of the food prepared and served (Article 36).
At a glance
| Who needs it | All food-handling staff (Articles 3 and 11 of Resolución 2674 de 2013) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Medical examination at least once a year (Article 11(1)) |
| Additional examinations | Whenever necessary for clinical and epidemiological reasons, especially after an absence due to infection (Article 11(2)) |
| Outcome | Certificate stating fitness or unfitness to handle food (Article 11(1) and (3)) |
| After treatment | The doctor issues a fitness or unfitness certificate when it ends (Article 11(4)) |
| Who is responsible | The company (Article 11(1), (4) and (5)); in restaurants, also the owner, management and staff (Article 36) |
| Sanctions | Safety measures and sanctions under Ley 09 de 1979, following the procedure of Ley 1437 de 2011 (Article 52) |
The yearly interval is a minimum: a new certificate may be needed sooner, for example after an absence due to infection (Article 11(2)).
Who is responsible?
The company must take steps so that each food handler has a medical examination at least once a year, ensure that treatments ordered by the doctor are followed through, and prevent a sick person from contaminating food (Article 11(1), (4) and (5) of Resolución 2674 de 2013). A food handler posing such a risk must tell the company (Article 11(5)). In restaurants and food-service establishments, the owner, the management and the food-handling staff are responsible for food safety (Article 36).
If the deadline passes
Resolución 2674 de 2013 provides no grace period for the yearly examination (Article 11(1)). The health authorities carry out inspection, supervision and control of establishments (Article 51) and may adopt safety measures and impose the sanctions of Ley 09 de 1979, following the procedure of Ley 1437 de 2011 (Article 52).
One certificate per person, not per establishment
The obligation applies to each food handler, whether permanent or occasional (Articles 3 and 11 of Resolución 2674 de 2013). With staff turnover or seasonal work, a new worker or one returning from sick leave can easily end up without a valid certificate.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add a record for each food handler and enter as the expiry date one year after the date of their latest medical fitness certificate.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day, in time to book the medical examination.
- The worker or HR can upload the new certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account; if there is an extra examination, for example after sick leave, record that date too.
- Assign the production lead, the establishment manager or HR as the responsible person; if the date passes without a certificate, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must a food handler's medical certificate be renewed?
- The company must arrange a medical examination at least once a year, and each assessment results in a certificate of fitness or unfitness to handle food (Article 11(1) and (3) of Resolución 2674 de 2013).
- Are there cases where an examination is needed before a year has passed?
- Yes. A medical examination must be carried out whenever it is considered necessary for clinical and epidemiological reasons, especially after an absence from work caused by an infection that could lead to food contamination (Article 11(2)).
- Who counts as a food handler?
- Anyone directly involved, permanently or occasionally, in the manufacture, processing, preparation, packing, storage, transport and sale of food (Article 3 of Resolución 2674 de 2013).
- Is training required as well as the medical certificate?
- Yes. Food handlers must be trained in health education, Good Manufacturing Practice and hygiene, and the company must have a continuous training plan of at least 10 hours a year (Article 12 of Resolución 2674 de 2013).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 11, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for food handler medical fitness certificate (Colombia)
A ready template for food handler medical fitness certificate (Colombia) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each food handler medical fitness certificate (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each food handler medical fitness certificate (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.