Food Safety: Your Responsibility
Learning about food safety is not just for people who work in food service or own a food business or facility. Every person handles food, whether it is just for themselves or other people, like those who cook for their families. While it isn’t a must to be certified, it’s a must to be train in at least basic food safety. Food Handler courses are available all over Canada at various rates and quality; Mississauga First Aid not only offers high quality training, but we also offer it at very affordable training fees.
Food Handler certification courses are available monthly so our slots tend to get filled up fast. If you work in food service or are simply interested in learning about food safety, you can check out our available schedules below. Confirm your slot early in person or online, via our internet application form.
Food Safety Regulations
For people who own food businesses, it is important to know that all facilities that handle medium and high-risk food products are required to have a certified food service worker present at all times in the establishment (all times that food is being handled). Technically, workers aren’t required to receive certification but you may be asked by your employer to get trained and certified.
Food safety regulations were drafted by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to decrease the incidence of and to protect the pubic from foodborne illness. If the food handling process is not safe, microorganisms and substances can contaminate the food and cause foodborne illness.
Food Handler Training Levels
Like our programs on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), food handler training is available in two levels. The first level is a basic course and the second level is more advanced, targeted mainly for food business owners and managerial staff.
Food Handler Level 1
The first level of food handler training is targeted towards front-line food service workers and anyone interested in learning food safety. It covers basic skills and concepts in safe food handling, namely:
- Foodborne illness
- Basic microbiology and parasitology
- Personal health and hygiene
- General sanitation
- Cooking and storage tecniques
It runs for a total of eight hours, including lectures and laboratory sessions.
Food Handler Level 2
Note: To sign up for the second level of food handler training, you need to have a valid Food Handler Level 1 certificate beforehand.
Food Handler Level 2 is an advanced program targeted towards people who own food businesses or have managerial positions. The program’s curriculum mainly focuses on on concepts used in running a food business and managing the staff, namely:
- Health/business permits
- Staff training in food safety
- General housekeeping
- Facility and workflow design
Food Handler Certificates
In Canada, all food handler training credentials are only valid for five years. Five years from the date the credential was first issued, it expires. Mississauga First Aid’s credentials are valid all over Canada. You will receive a temporary credential upon passing the final exam and the permanent one within the week.
Mississauga First Aid’s office hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM.