Why there is a need for Food Safety in Hamilton? Disease-causing bacteria is the most common cause of foodborne illnesses, which are diseases acquired through the ingestion of dangerous food. Bacteria ends up on food because of improper food handling, which renders the food unsafe for public consumption. If at any point in the process of food handling that the food service worker fails to employ safe food handling skills, there is a great risk that the finished product is contaminated.
Hamilton is very strict on food regulations. By 2008, all premises that handle food (whether they sell or simply serve food) are required to have certified food handlers present during operating hours. In addition to that, by 2010 all food premises were required to have certified supervisory staff members present during operating hours.
Food Safety Training at Hamilton First Aid
Hamilton First Aid offers a food handler training course to everyone interested in learning food safety, not just food service workers and supervisors. The program curriculum is focused on food handling safety in order to decrease the incidence of foodborne illness.There are many topics included in our safety program, basically covering all aspects of the food handling process – from buying of raw produce to storing and selling the actual finished product.
Classroom, self-study, and exam
We offer a variety of ways to learn food safety at Hamilton First Aid. Classroom training is the most popular way, with lessons and hands-on training done in a classroom and laboratory set-up. This is called a full day course which starts at 8 AM and ends at 4 PM. Another less traditional way is through self-study. Because we make workbooks available to be bought separately, some students prefer to self-study food safety.
After either kind of training is completed, the student has to take the exam, which upon their passing they will be granted with a food safety training certificate. Exams are usually held on a separate day from the regular classroom schedule, which runs for around two hours. We hold exams at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 6:00 PM on set days.
Registration
Interested students have to pre-register before proceeding to classes. You can register on the Hamilton First Aid website, where an online form in available. The form is not downloadable, instead you can fill it up online and click the submit button afterwards. Requests sent through the website or through e-mail will be processed during business hours (so expect a confirmatory e-mail or call from us by then).
You may also visit the Hamilton First Aid training location and register in person (before the official start of classes). Our welcoming staff will be glad to introduce you to our curriculum and other available training programs.
Foodborne illness: causes, management
Foodborne illness is the proper term for a condition popularly called ‘food poisoning’. When a person ingests food that has been contaminated with bacteria or chemicals, he/she can manifest the following signs and symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, and appetite loss. The symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the specific disease but all the symptoms are usually present in all kinds of foodborne illnesses.