Food, disease, and safety
Food safety is a big deal, not only in food establishments but also at home. The food we eat is the source of nutrients and energy our bodies need but it can also be the source of disease. Improperly handled food is a major source of foodborne illness, particular food that has been contaminated with bacteria. The law is particularly strict on all food establishments in Winnipeg, to keep food sold to the public safe for consumption. Register for the course with FOODSAFE in Winnipeg now.
The Food Service by-law does not only focus on food safety training for the staff members, it covers everything about managing a food establishment or facility. That means the by-law sets standards for facility design, operation, and personnel management of a facility that prepares, manufactures, packages, sells, and serves food. All this is done to decrease the incidence of foodborne illness in the city.
Certified Food Handler Training with FOODSAFE in Winnipeg
In Winnipeg, Winnipeg First Aid is one of the few providers of Certified Food Handler Training – the program required by the Food Service by-law. Upon completing the program and passing the exam, we will award you with a training credential that is accepted all over the city of Winnipeg.
A full training course with us includes the workbook used in the class, as well as the certification exam and the certificate. The curriculum includes the following topics/concepts listed below:
- Basic microbiology
- Introduction to foodborne illness
- Personnel hygiene and health
- Facility and equipment design
- Workflow and general operation
- Personnel training and management
Certified Food Handler Training is eight hours long, taking one day to complete. Winnipeg First Aid holds classes from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with breaks in between lecturers and topics. The certification exam is usually held on a different day, within the week. The cost of training is approximately 100 dollars. You may also opt to simply take the exam (without classroom training), available at a lower fee. Workbooks may also be bought separately.
Foodborne illness
Foodborne illness is a category of diseases acquired by ingesting pathogenic microorganisms and substances (e.g. chemical pesticides). The symptoms that characterize an FBI are usually the same for different disease – vomiting and diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach pain, cramps, and loss of appetite. Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms, the most common culprit being the Norovirus – which is responsible for almost 60 percent of cases.
In a food establishment, all parts of the food handling process present a risk for food becoming contaminated, particularly if the food handling practices are unsafe. The food handler is not the only thing that contributes to safe food practice; the equipment, utensils, facility design, and workflow are all factors to consider in preventing foodborne illness.
Winnipeg First Aid offers enrollment on our website. The application form is available all day, but requests are only processed during business hours. The form on the website is not downloadable; just fill it out with your details then click submit. We will get back to you through e-mail or phone call as soon that we have processed your request.