Food safety is an important concept in every food business – that includes places where food is served (e.g. restaurants) and where food is sold (e.g. delis). However, food safety should also be a part of every household – which is why have opened our food safety training programs to anyone interested in learning about food safety, not just food handlers and food business hours. Register for a course with FOODSAFE in Windsor.
Interested students can enroll via the Windsor First Aid website. Instead of downloading a form and faxing or sending it back to us, you can fill up the form on the website directly. Just click submit and your information will be sent to us, processed during business hours (8 AM – 5 PM). You may send in inquiring through e-mail, or give us a call (during business hours). We will be happy to assist you.
How food safety affects you
When you buy from from the grocer’s or order food from a fast food restaurants – an important thing that should come to mind is how safe the food you just purchased (or even tasted for free) is. Safe food handling is an important requirement by Hamilton’s health department for all food establishments in the city. It has to be practiced through every step in the food handling process – from cleaning of the produce to final packaging and service of the product. When food is not handled safely, there is a big risk that it is contaminated and can cause illness.
Fact: The microorganism commonly responsible for foodborne illness is the Norovirus.
Mandatory food safety training
There is a bylaw in Ontario on mandatory food handler training. The bylaw, ammended in 2010 and 2008 requires food facilities that are high risk and medium risk to have certified food handlers on staff and on duty at all times. The certified food handlers have to be trained by a provider approved by the local health department – like us at Windsor First Aid!
FOODSAFE programs in Windsor First Aid
We have several training programs available through the week, not just food safety and FOODSAFE in Windsor – but food safety is one of our most popular. You can choose to enroll in basic (level 1) and/or advanced (level 2) training; however, the second level of food safety can only be taken once you pass the first level. There are also renewal classes (called refresher courses) available to students who need to renew their training certificates.
- Basic food safety training introduces students to concepts of microbiology, foodborne illness, personal health, and housekeeping – things a food handler or a person who handles food regularly should now. This course targets anyone who wants to learn about food safety, not necessarily people in the food business. (8 hours; single session over one day or two sessions over two days).
- Advanced food safety training targets food business owners and managers – staff who have supervisory and managerial capacity. Because students are required to take basic training first, this course focuses on advanced topics on management – health permits, personnel training, workflow design, and general housekeeping; basically the know-how on operating a food establishment. (16 hours; sessions spread out over two days).