Public Health Acts and Food Safety in Calagary
The Alberta Public Health Act on Food Regulation is one of the many laws that mandate food safety training for food service workers. With diarrheal disease killing more than two million people each year, food safety should be important to food establishments all over the world. In Alberta, the public health act makes sure that all establishments in the province that sell or serve food should have a certain number of employees trained in food safety and sanitation.
The public health act specifies the following:
- When the number of employees present and working in the establishment is five or less – at least one employee (front-line service or supervisory) trained in food safety should be present.
- When the number of employees present and working in the establishment is more than five – at least one supervisory employee trained in food safety should be present.
You will notice that the establishment is governed by the act, not the food service workers. That means that a food service worker doesn’t need to be certified in order to apply to get a job; however, their employers may choose them as the staff member who needs to be trained in food safety.
How to Register for Food Safety Certification in Calgary?
To register for food safety certification training in the Calgary area use the following contact information:
Website (for online registration and courses): http://firstaidcalgary.ca/on-line-food-safety-certification/
- Telephone Number: 587-774-5317
- Address: Suite 102, 750 – 11th Street SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3N7
- Email: info@firstaidcalgary.ca
This course can be taken on-line or in class.
Where is Calgary First Aid Located?
For more information about the location of this food safety provider view the map below:
Being certified and trained
While food service workers are not required, it is highly encouraged for them to take some form of food safety and sanitation training. Environmental Health Officers and Public Health Inspectors may ask all staff members of a particular establishment to have training. even if it is not required. Being trained in food safety means that you have the skills in proper food handling and sanitation – thereby making the establishment a much safer place for consumers.
Training at Calgary First Aid is provided through Alberta Health Services, making sure that the curriculum matches the standard set in other accredited institutions in the province. You may also receive training from NAIT, SAIT, Red Deer College, and Lethbridge College.
Training credentials in food safety
Credentials – specifically your food safety certificate – does not have an expiration date, unlike other credentials. Food service workers are instead required to take update classes every five years (or less) to improve their knowledge and skills. Refreshers at Calgary First Aid serve as update courses; you may visit our website for a list of classes, schedules and training fees.
Getting started: A Home Course in Food Safety Training in Calgary
A program at Calgary First Aid will cover the following sections in training: (1) Food Safety in Calgary and Alberta, (2) Introduction to Foodborne Illness, (3) Causes of Foodborne Illness, and (4) Preventing Foodborne Illness. You may choose to take this program at home if you have problems attending the regular class schedules. Take note that the credentials you will receive from home training are different from face-to-face classroom type training. In order to pass a home study course, you have to receive a grade of 80 percent or better.
Note: A home study food safety certificate is only valid for three years. It has to be renewed after that.