Food Handler Training Bylaw
Why there is a need FOODSAFE in Mississauga? With more than 4 million recorded cases of foodborne illness in Canada each year, health departments in Ontario’s cities have imposed mandatory food handler training through by-law 78-2010. There were two amendments made to the by-law, one in 2008 and 2010. Today, all medium-risk and high-risk facilities need to have a certified food handler on staff, during every shift at the facility – this means that that certified staff members have to be present at all times.
- High risk facilities are those that have been previously associate with a case of foodborne illness, serve the vulnerable population (e.g. children), prepare food for a large group of people (e.g. catering services),prepare food with a multitude of steps (e.g. food packaging and preparation factories), do not have a hazard analysis critical control point.
- Medium risk facilities are those that handle hazardous food not on the high-risk list or prepare non-hazardous food but with extensive handling by patrons (e.g. bakeries).
FOODSAFE Training in Mississauga
When you enroll in a training program with us at Mississauga First Aid, we ensure that you receive the best education from food safety experts – all our trainers have certified food handlers themselves. There are two different food safety courses you can choose from, though basic training is a requirement for advanced food safety programs.
Basic food handler training
This program does not only target food handlers (frontline, handle food directly), but any person who is interested in learning about FOODSAFE in Mississauga. If you aren’t a food handler and do not want to get certified, you can simply take the class and opt out of the certification exam scheduled on another day, separately. 8 hours (can be completed in one day or two days)
Course topics include: microbiology, pathogenesis of foodborne illness, health and hygiene, workplace sanitation.
Advanced food handler training
A prerequisite for the advanced program is a basic training certificate, which you can get from completing the basic food handler training course and passing the basic certification exam. The advanced program targets staff with supervisory and managerial capacity – like business owners and staff managers. 16 hours (completed in two days)
Course topics include: health permits and licenses, food safety training for the staff, workflow in the facility, housekeeping
Advanced and basic food safety training credentials
After completing a program, the students take a credentialing or certification exam (separately, there is a basic and advanced exam for the two programs). Upon passing the exam with at least 75 percent, the student is awarded a training certificate for food safety. This certificate has to be renewed after five years, by taking a refresher class and another exam. We also have refresher classes available through the week.
Once you’ve chosen the program you want to take, visit the Mississauga First Aid website to start the enrollment process. Just fill up the form on the website then click submit. It will send your details to us, processed during regular business hours from 8 AM to 5 PM. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!