In Manitoba of Food Safety Certification in Winnipeg, the city of Winnipeg has a by-law that governs all food handling establishments. The Food Service By-Law, specifically section 5 states:
- Owners cannot operate a food establishment without holding a certificate for Food Handler Training.
- Establishments with less than five employees are required to have at least one staff member holding a certificate for Food Handler Training.
- Establishments with five or more employees are required to have at least one staff member holding a certificate for Food Handler Training.
Food Safety Certification in Winnipeg
If you need to train in food safety and sanitation, Winnipeg First Aid offers Certified Food Handling Training. Meaning our program is one of the certified courses mentioned in the Food Service By-Law for food service workers.
Enrollment into Certified Food Safety Certification in Winnipeg
Winnipeg First Aid offers a variety of enrollment methods to interested students. By far, the most popular is online application on the Winnipeg First Aid website. Once you visit our site, you will find a form that you can fill up (on line, no downloads needed!) along with our contact information. Similarly, you may also send in your application and through mail or in-person. We accept payment via credit cards, cash, or cheques.
What to expect from food safety training
Certified Food Handler Training is available in a single-session 8-hour class over one day at Winnipeg First Aid. It runs from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with breaks in between topics. The focus of this program is food safety and sanitation in the entire food handing process – making the finished food products safe to be sold and consumed by the public. It introduces trainees to the concepts of microbiology, foodborne illness, health and hygiene, and cleanliness and sanitation of the workplace and the food product itself.
However, the program is not just for food service workers and establishment owners. We encourage anyone interested in learning food safety and sanitation to sign up for our program. Registration costs only less than 100 dollars, inclusive of the workbook and exam (to be certified). Trainees even have the option of taking the exam only and buying the workbook, without actually attending classes.
Important: Is training mandatory?
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, though food safety training is included in the by-laws, food service workers are not mandated to take training and become certified. The by-law governs food establishments, not food service workers. This means that food service workers do not need a training credential when applying for jobs, there is just a chance their employer may ask them to sign up for training so the establishment can meet the city’s requirements.
Getting started: A look at bacteria
At Winnipeg First Aid, we start with basic microbiology lessons because foodborne illnesses are usually caused by pathogenic bacteria. Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms that contaminate food due to improper handling. Bacteria is very small and can only be seen under a microscope. However, not all bacteria causes disease, there just certain types that are virulent or pathogenic (disease-causing). They thrive in warm, damn places, rich with oxygen. Which is why food that is left out at room temperature for too long becomes a breeding ground for pathogens.
Food Handling Certificate Course Request in Winnipeg