Calgary First Aid is one of many training providers in Alberta that offer food safety training. The food safety programs in Calgary were created according to the Alberta Food Regulation act, which describe the need for a food safety training program for food service workers in the province. At Calgary First Aid, we offer basic and advanced food safety programs to students – at very affordable rates. Despite having cheap training fees, our programs remain very high quality.
Contact Information
To register for an on-line or in-class food safety certification course in Calgary use the following contact information:
- Website: http://firstaidcalgary.ca/on-line-food-safety-certification/
- Telephone Number: (587) 774-5317
- Email: info@firstaidcalgary.ca
- Address: Suite 102, 750 – 11th Street SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3N7
On-line courses are hosted on the website and provide workplace approved certification that is valid throughout Canada.
Food Safety Certification Course Request for Calgary
But why do I need to study food safety in the first place?
Foodborne illness is one of the heaviest burdens carried by society today. The complication of diarrhea is responsible for more than two million deaths each year all over the world. For a disease that is easily preventable with safe food handling, it has become a major problem experienced in numerous countries. Having a foodborne illness can cause mild to severe symptoms – usually nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps, and diarrhea. If these symptoms are mild, they can be managed at home. However, special cases have to be brought in for hospital management.
If you work in food service, it is your responsibility to take food safety training. Being trained in food safety ensures that the skills you use in your occupation are safe for all consumers or customers. However, even laypersons can take food safety training because our programs also cover skills and concepts applied in food safety at home.
I work in a restaurant, am I required to take food safety training?
Technically, food service workers are not required to be certified in food safety, unlike other occupations that need a certificate or license in order to practice. Instead, the Alberta Food Regulation Public Health Act specifies the following:
- Food establishments are required to have at least one employee trained in food safety and sanitation when there are 5 or fewer employees present.
- If there are 6 or more employees present, there has to be at least one member of the supervisory staff present with food safety and sanitation training.
This means that food service workers are not mandated by law to get food safety training. However, they may be asked by their employer to get food safety training to meet the requirements set by the public health act.
How often do I have to renew by certificate?
The food safety programs are managed by Alberta Health Services. Once a student completes training with a passing grade on all exams, he or she is awarded a training certificate. The credential itself has no expiry, but students are required to attend update or refresher classes every five years. They may take classes sooner if they feel they need to.
Getting started: Protecting yourself from foodborne illness
As a consumer of food products, it pays to be safe with your purchases. Don’t assume that a product is clean just because you bought it sealed or from a reputable grocery or market. Here are some tips:
- Thoroughly cook meat, poultry, and eggs
- Separate foods, especially raw meat and produce from other products.
- Refrigerate leftovers as soon as they have cooled to room temperature