Autumn is when food factories in Poland increase production ahead of Christmas. Demand grows for workers who pack sweets, make cold meats, portion products and run production lines. Many of these jobs require a sanitary and epidemiological medical certificate, still commonly called a książeczka sanepidowska (sanitary booklet). Without it, you cannot start work, even if your contract is already signed. Here is how to get the certificate, how long it takes and what to remember so you are ready for your first shift.
Sanitary booklet or medical certificate?
The old sanitary booklet was abolished years ago. It was replaced by a medical certificate for sanitary and epidemiological purposes (orzeczenie do celów sanitarno-epidemiologicznych). The word “booklet” is still used in job ads and everyday conversation. Some doctors issue the certificate in a booklet-style format, others on a standard form. Both confirm the same thing.
The certificate states that you have no health conditions that would prevent you from doing work where an infection could pass to other people. In food production, the main concern is bacteria that could get into food.
Who needs the certificate?
The certificate is required for people who work in direct contact with food. In practice, this includes:
- food production workers in meat, bakery, confectionery and dairy plants;
- people who pack or portion unwrapped food;
- kitchen, canteen and catering staff;
- line operators working with products that are not yet packaged.
In a warehouse that handles only sealed, packaged goods, the certificate is usually not needed. The employer decides whether a specific position requires it, based on the duties. If you are not sure, ask your agency before you travel.
How to get the certificate, step by step
- Get a referral from your employer. The employer or agency describes the type of work on the referral. The doctor uses this to decide which tests to order.
- See an occupational medicine doctor. The doctor asks a few questions and refers you for laboratory tests.
- Provide samples. The key test is a stool test for carriers of bacteria such as Salmonella and Shigella. You usually provide several samples collected on different days. The laboratory gives you containers and instructions.
- Collect your results. Results are not available immediately, because the samples have to be cultured in the laboratory.
- Return to the doctor. You take the results back to the occupational medicine doctor. The doctor issues the certificate or orders further tests, for example a chest X-ray or a blood test.
Bring an identity document to the doctor and the laboratory, such as your passport or residence card.
How long does it take?
The stool test takes the most time. Several samples on different days plus laboratory analysis usually take at least a few days. On top of that, you need two doctor’s appointments. Start as soon as you receive the referral. Before Christmas, laboratories and occupational medicine clinics are busier, so waiting times can be longer.
Who pays for the tests?
If you are tested on a referral from your employer or the company commissioning the work, the company covers the cost. This also applies to workers employed through a temporary work agency. If you arrange the tests privately, on your own initiative, you pay yourself.
Some employers expect candidates to have the certificate on their first day. Before paying for the tests yourself, ask whether the company will issue a referral.
How long is the certificate valid?
The law does not set one fixed validity period. The doctor decides, taking into account the type of work and your health. The expiry date is written on the certificate. A new employer may send you for new tests, even if you have a certificate from a previous job.
Sanitary certificate vs standard occupational health check
These are two different examinations. The standard pre-employment check confirms that you can do a particular job, for example standing for long periods or lifting loads. The sanitary certificate confirms that you will not pass an infection to others. In food production you usually need both. They can often be done at the same clinic, sometimes during one visit once your results are ready.
Practical tips
- Do not delay the first sample. It starts the whole process.
- Follow the laboratory’s instructions. A sample collected or labelled incorrectly may have to be repeated.
- Keep a copy of the certificate. The employer keeps the original, but a copy will help with your next job application.
- Report symptoms. If you have diarrhoea, a fever or a rash while working, tell your supervisor. In food production this is an obligation, not just good manners.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start work before I receive the certificate?
No. An employer cannot let you work with food without a valid certificate confirming there are no health contraindications.
Can a foreigner get the certificate?
Yes. The procedure is the same as for Polish citizens. You need a referral and an identity document.
Is a health certificate from another country valid in Poland?
A Polish employer needs a certificate issued by a Polish occupational medicine doctor. Documents from other countries usually do not replace it.
Food production jobs with HR Work
We recruit workers for food factories and warehouses across Poland. Before you start, we will explain whether your position requires a sanitary certificate and help you plan the tests. Browse current job offers or contact us.
This article is for information only. Testing rules may differ depending on the position and the clinic. Check the current information on the State Sanitary Inspection pages at gov.pl.
