Nanaimo First Aid hosts the FOODSAFE program in Nanaimo, British Columbia. It has other programs in first aid and CPR as well. If you need both training and certification, Nanaimo First Aid is the place for you! All our food safety and FOODSAFE in Nanaimo programs are certification programs, meaning students who complete the program are awarded FOODSAFE certificates valid for five years.
Training programs in food safety are divided into two levels; the first level is for food handlers, or staff members who handle food directly. The second level is for administrative staff. According to the public health act that governs food safety training, only the first level is required. Employees, at least one, is required to be present during each shift in all food establishments. Training in both levels is not mandated, rather encouraged.
Enrollment and sign up for FOODSAFE in Nanaimo
Enrollment in Nanaimo First Aid is available through different mediums. The most popular among students is enrolling online, because the form is available all day (24/7). This is ideal for people who do not have time to visit the provider location during regular business hours. Similarly, enrollment can be done through e-mail and telephone call.
FOODSAFE training courses in Nanaimo
FOODSAFE level one is an eight-hour training course that focuses on safe food preparation, storage, service, and sanitation. The level is very skill-oriented, because the target students are front-line food handlers. It costs 110 dollars to enroll in this food safety training course.
FOODSAFE level two is a twelve-hour training courses that focuses on the planning aspect of food safety and sanitation. This is because the target students are management staff – owners, managers, and executive chefs – are all tasked with with administration in the food establishment.
Refresher courses are update programs on food safety; they last for three hours. They are taken by food service workers who want to update their skills and concepts. If your training credential is nearing expiry or has already expired, you can take the refresher courses and the examination after. To receive a new certificate valid for another five years, you have to get a score of 80 percent or higher.
FOODSAFE by correspondence is a training course targeted towards working students. There is no formal classroom-based experience with this program; instead, students are allowed six months to visit all the coursework. Training by correspondence costs 85 dollars, plus an additional 25 dollars for an extension of two months.
Note: FOODSAFE certificates are only valid for five years. They expire after that but are renewable through refresher classes.
Getting started: E.coli
E.coli is one of the most popularly known microorganisms responsible for causing foodborne illness. E.coli – short for Escherichia coli – is a large group of bacteria. There are strains that cause mild symptoms (to none) but there are more virulent strains that can cause a myriad of gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms. There is a particular strain of E.coli called STEC – shiga-toxin producing E. coli – that is responsible for producing the Shiga toxin. Infection from STEC causes severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain/cramps.