Lethbridge First Aid is one of the best sources of food safety training in Alberta. Our programs all follow the specifications of the Alberta public health act for food regulation – meaning our training credentials will be valid all over the province. To make it clear, food service workers are not required by law to train in food safety. It is, however, highly encouraged by local health authorities and public health inspectors for all front-line and supervisory service workers to get trained. The act only specifies a number of employees that need to be present for every set number of staff members present during a shift.
If you have been chosen by your employer to be the member of the staff that needs to train in food safety, choose Lethbridge First Aid and enroll in one of our programs today. We are very affordable without affecting the quality of training our students receive.
What’s so important about food safety?
More than two million people die each year because of diarrheal diseases. In Canada, it is estimated than more than four million people are affected by foodborne illness annually. Out of millions of these cases, majority of them are not reported to the local health authorities. This makes actual statistics quite hazy regarding foodborne illness. Still, it remains that FBIs are a problem and certain measures have to be taken in order to eradicate it.
What exactly is foodborne illness (FBI)?
Foodborne illness does not describe just one condition; it is a term used to describe diseases that people become infected with because of the ingestion of contaminated food. Contaminants are typically one of the following: pathogens or chemicals. Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease (e.g. E.coli). Chemicals such as pesticides can cause similar symptoms to an infection due to a pathogen. Pathogens that are the most common causes of FBIs are the: (1) Norovirus, (2) Campylobacter, (3) E.coli, (4) Salmonella, and (5) Staphylococcus.
If you have ingested contaminated food, you may experience most if not all of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramps
Without adequate diagnostic examinations (usually bloodwork), it can be hard to diagnose an FBI based on clinical symptoms alone – this is because the symptoms are very similar among different conditions.
Does the food safety certificate expire?
Throughout Alberta, Food Safety Training in Lethbridge certificates have no expiration date. However, the law does require all certificate holders to get update training every five years. You may choose to take an update course earlier than five years. Updates are offered at Lethbridge First Aid through refresher courses.
Enrollment can be completed on the Lethbridge First Aid website. Just fill out the online form (available 24/7) with your personal and class details and click submit! We will get back to you during our regular business hours, so expect a call or an e-mail from us during that time. You may also give us a call or send us an e-mail if you have any queries. We likewise encourage enrollment in person. Visit Lethbridge First Aid today!