FOODSAFE in Ottawa

Ottawa First Aid is one of many providers of FOODSAFE training in the province of Ontario. However, it stands a cut above the rest because of its high quality training program, not just in food safety but also first aid. Our entire staff is well-trained, being certified food handlers themselves, meaning you get first-hand knowledge about food safety in the workplace and at home.

You get to choose between classroom-based or self-study training, as well as the level of food safety you need training and/or certification for.

Website enrollment is the preferred method by most of our students. Simply visit the Ottawa First Aid website any time you are free and you will find an form (that you complete online) and a submit button below it. Just fill in your personal and program details and click submit. We will get back to you during regular business hours.
Enrolling in person is the second most popular, because some details such as payment and signatures need to be completed in person. We are open between 8 AM and 5 PM – be sure to conduct your business during these hours.

You can also contact us via e-mail or telephone call. While e-mails can be sent at any time, they will only be entertained during business hours (same with telephone calls).

Fighting foodborne illness with food safety

One of the most common ailment experience by Canadians is foodborne illness – characterized by any or all of the following symptoms vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, and abdominal pain. But what causes foodborne illness?

The most common culprit of foodborne illness is pathogenic microorganisms, or microorganisms that cause illness. These microorganisms are transmitted from a sick individual to a carrier (usually the food handler). The carrier food handler who doesn’t practice proper food safety techniques can easily contaminate the food product, utensils, or handling area with the microorganism.

The most common microorganisms that infect humans are:

Norovirus
Clostridium perfringens
Campylobacter spp.
Non-typhoidal salmonella
Staphyloccocus aureus

With proper food safety – that includes handwashing, wearing of protective gear, maintaining personal health and hygiene, and general housekeeping – the risk for contamination remains very, very low.

Getting trained and certified at Ottawa First Aid

We have two levels of food safety training available at Ottawa First Aid – basic, entry-level food safety training, which is the minimum requirement for food handlers, and advanced, management-focused food safety training, targeted towards food handlers with supervisory capacity. The first level, basic training, runs for eight-hours. It can be completed in one day (from 8 AM to 5 PM) or two days (with two separate sessions). The second level, advanced training, runs for 16 hours over two days.

After completing training, students need to take and pass the certification exam which is scheduled at a separate date. Trainees who decide to self-study and simply buy the workbooks sign up for the exam separately. After passing, the student is awarded a training certificate valid for five years.