FAQ: Food Safety Training in Victoria
Am I required to get Food Safety Training in Victoria?
Learning about food safety training in Victoria (and being certified) is not a requirement in British Columbia but is highly encouraged by the province’s health authorities. If you work or are starting work in food service, be prepared to enroll in a FOODSAFE course. The BC Public Health Act on Food Premises Regulation requires a food establishment to have at least one service worker with FOODSAFE training on duty for every shift. So, while not all workers are required by law to become certified, you may be chosen by your employer to get trained.
What is a FOODSAFE training course?
In accordance with the BC Center for Disease Control (BCCDC), the FOODSAFE course was funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labor Market Development. It is a training program that teaches students about safe food handling, particularly regarding storage, preparation, service, and overall work safety – all skills and concepts that food service workers should be familiar with.
There are two levels of FOODSAFE training at Victoria First Aid, though only the first is required by law. Level 1 training is targeted towards first-line service workers or members of the staff responsible for directly handling food. Even dishwashers are considered first-line food service workers. The second level of training focuses on management and work safety, making the course targeted towards administrative staff members.
How long does each Food Safety Training in Victoria last?
FOODSAFE level 1 is eight hours long and is a prerequisite for trainees planning on taking FOODSAFE level 2. Level 2 is longer, lasting 12 hours. Because first level training is targeted at first-line food handlers, it more skill-oriented. On the other hand, the second level of training is more planning-oriented, with focus on general work and food safety and management.
A special kind of course we offer at Victoria First Aid are refresher course. Both levels of FOODSAFE training are certification courses, and when the certificates expire, students can renew them by taking a refresher course. Refreshers are three hours long, with an exam given at the end of training.
How long are FOODSAFE certificates valid?
FOODSAFE training certificates are valid for a period of five years. Any time around the expiration date, you can sign up for a refresher course to get a new certificate. You have to pass the exam with a grade of 80 percent or higher after taking the refresher course in order to have your certificate renewed.
Did You Know?
Diarrhea is the most common complication of foodborne diseases. This gastrointenstinal problem causes great losses of water from the body because of frequent passage of loose, watery stool. While hydration therapy is the golden standard for managing diarrhea, it is very dangerous for people who are extreme in terms of age, such as the very young and the very old. Electrolyte imbalances are likewise very dangerous because loss of water is accompanied by loss of electrolytes. It is important to seek medical help if diarrhea becomes too severe for home management.