Food Safety and Service in Alberta
If you work in food service in Alberta, there is a big chance that you will be asked to take Food Handlers Course in Edmonton. One of the public health acts in Alberta is on food regulation; it covers food safety training for employees of food service establishments in the province.
According to section 31 of the public health act, food establishments are required to adhere to the following stipulations:
- At least one employee (either frontline service or supervisory) trained in food safety/sanitation should be present when there are less than six employees working in a shift
- At least one supervisory employee trained in food safety/sanitation should be present when there are more than five employees working in a shift
Food service workers are not required by the act to get trained before applying for work. However, since establishments are required by the act to have a number of employees trained and certified in food safety, most public health inspectors ask all the employees to get training. It is encouraged that all food service workers are certified and trained before they start working in the food service industry.
How To Register for a Food Handlers Course in Edmonton?
To register for either an on-line or in class course in Edmonton use the following details:
- Telephone Number: 1 780-809-0829
- Website: http://firstaidcpredmonton.ca/
- Training Office Location: Suite 200 7915 – 104 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6E 6M6
Individuals that complete the on-line program will need to take a final examination at the training centre posted above. More information about the training centre is posted below.
What is so important about the Food Safety and Food Handlers Course in Edmonton?
One of the easiest ways to get sick is to ingest dangerous pathogens and substances through contaminated food. If food is not handled properly, it becomes unsafe and the risk of acquiring a foodborne illness becomes much higher. Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease, usually from an infected or sick person coming into contact with the product and the product being ingested by a customer. This perpetuates the cycle of infection. Substances like pesticides can also remain on food if not washed correctly. Ingestion of these substances can cause similar gastrointestinal symptoms from an infection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2 million people die yearly because of diarrheal diseases. In Canada alone, it is estimated that 4.5 million people are affected by foodborne illness each year. There is still no formal database on foodborne illness because its symptoms are too general and the factors that contribute still have to be studied further. It then becomes society’s responsibility to keep food products safe for public consumption all throughout Alberta.
Will I receive certification from training?
Edmonton First Aid offers certificates to students who are able to finish the food safety training program. There is no expiry for food safety and sanitation in Alberta; however, service workers are required to get update classes every five years. However, if you feel like you need additional training sooner, you may take a refresher course then. Food safety training programs focus on safe food handling practices from preparation to storage and service of products – with the programs being very skill and knowledge-oriented.
To all interested food service workers seeking food safety and sanitation training, we have high quality programs at very affordable rates here at Edmonton First Aid. You may visit our website for more details, or visit us in person. Enroll today!