Pathogenic Microorganisms and Foodborne Illness
Why there is a need for Mississauga First Aid? Not all bacteria and viruses cause illness – that same applies to foodborne illness. Microorganisms can be found everywhere on our body – even in our mouths! But these microorganisms don’t make us sick. However, certain kinds of microorganism like the Norovirus cause illness when ingested. Foodborne illnesses manifest symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, usually with abdominal pain and cramps. If the symptoms are mild, oral fluid replacement at home can be enough to manage the illness. However, if the symptoms persist for several days or become severe, the victim is at great risk for dehydration – a condition which may require hospital management.
Unsafe food handling
The entire food handling process – from cleaning of raw meat and produce to cooking to serving – has to be safe. The food handler has to practice hand hygeine, wear the necessary protective gear, clean food thoroughly, and store or serve it properly. By practicing food safety, the risk for contamination is low or none at all – a must for every food establishment and home in the city of Mississauga (and the rest of Canada). If at any point in the process of food handling the handler does not practice food safety, the finished product could be contaminated with a pathogenic substance – not just microorganisms but even chemicals (e.g. pesticides, chemicals used for cleaning, etc.).
Courses at Mississauga First Aid
Mississauga is governed by the Ontario by-law on mandatory food handler training. The by-law requires that a certified food handler be present at all times in establishments that handle medium and high risk products. While not all members of the staff need to train and become certified (in a locally-approved training provider like Mississauga First Aid), the local health inspectors might require a food facility to have a large number of food handlers certified in food safety. Click here to visit the website.
Because we at Mississauga First Aid are approved by the city’s health department, any certificate that you receive from us is valid not only in the city, but all over the province of Ontario. You can get certified for either basic or advanced food safety, or both (since you need first level certification to sign up for the advanced level).
- Basic food safety is a program that open to the public – food handlers who directly handle food product are the target audience, but any person who wants to learn about food safety can sign up. The program is a basic introductory program to food safety and how it reduces the risk for food contamination. There are hands-on lessons, aside from basic classes. (8 hours)
- Advanced food safety is an advanced program targeting food handlers with supervisory capacity. Before you can take advanced training, you have to complete and get certified for the first level of food safety training. Because it targets handlers who are supervisors, the curriculum is focused on management topics – permits, staff training, workplace rules and regulations, and the like. (16 hours).
A Mississauga First Aid training certificate expires after five years. You can renew it by finishing a refresher class and passing another certification exam with at least 75 percent.