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Safe food handling is crucial in preventing food-borne illnesses, and earning a Food Handling Certificate is an essential step for many food industry workers in Alberta.
Whether you are starting a new job in food service or looking to advance your career, getting certified ensures you meet provincial requirements and understand key food safety principles.
If you want to obtain your Alberta Food Handling Certificate online, the Canadian Institute of Food Safety (CIFS) offers a Food Handler Certification Course that is simple, flexible and convenient. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about earning your certification in Alberta, including course details, exam requirements and how to enroll.
Why you need a Food Handling Certificate in Alberta
Under Alberta's Food Regulation (Section 31), food businesses must employ staff who have obtained Food Handler Certification. To become certified, Food Handlers must successfully complete a Food Handler Certification Course that is approved in Alberta.
Food businesses in Alberta must adhere to the following requirements regarding Food Handler training:
- For businesses with five or fewer Food Handlers (including waiting staff), at least one employee must hold a valid Food Handler Certificate. However, this certified individual does not need to be on-site at all times.
- For businesses with six or more Food Handlers (including waiting staff), at least one employee must have a valid Food Handler Certificate. In this case, the certified individual must be a manager or supervisor and be present on the premises.
Best practice is to ensure that all staff members who handle food are certified.
In addition to ensuring compliance, the CIFS Food Handler Certification Course helps you understand basic food handling practices to help ensure public safety:
- Learn how to prevent foodborne illnesses
- Understand food contamination risks
- Gain knowledge of personal hygiene and sanitation standards
- Improve your job prospects in Alberta’s food industry
How to obtain your Alberta Food Handling Certificate online
CIFS offers a fully online Food Handler Certification Course, allowing you to complete your training at your own pace. Whether you need to fit learning around a busy schedule or prefer studying from home, this online format provides maximum convenience.
Once enrolled, you will gain access to 21 interactive lessons covering essential food safety topics ranging from food contamination to personal hygiene.
Lesson overview
Module 1: Understanding Food Safety
- Food Contamination
- Bacteria
- Other Types of Microorganisms & Perishable Foods
- Other Types of Contamination
- Food-borne Illness, High-Risk Groups & Handling Complaints
- Food Allergies
Module 2: Preventing Food-Borne Illness
- Food Safety Laws & Responsibilities
- Personal Hygiene
- Workplace Facilities & Behaviors
- Uniforms & Hair Care
- Illness & Onsite Injuries
- Temperature Zones & Time Control
- Thermometers
- Cleaning & Sanitizing
- Cleaning & Sanitizing Methods & Working with Cleaning Products
Module 3: Working With Food Safely
- Maintaining Food Premises
- Pest Control & Waste Disposal
- Receiving & Storing Food
- Working with Food Safely
- Serving Food Safely
- Managing Your Food Safety Plan
Certification exam overview
To earn your Alberta Food Handling Certificate, you must successfully pass an online exam.
The CIFS Food Handler Certification Exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need to achieve a minimum score of 70 percent to pass. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the exam within your 30-day course access period, giving you a chance to review material and improve your understanding if needed.
Once you pass the exam, you can request your Alberta Food Handler Certificate immediately. The documentation is typically issued within an hour of being requested. Certification is valid for five years and is recognized nationwide. This means you can use your certification across different provinces if needed.
How to stay up to date with food safety requirements in Alberta
Food safety regulations and best practices continue to evolve, so it is important to stay informed. Even though your certificate is valid for five years, ongoing learning and awareness of new regulations will help you stay compliant, maintain high food safety standards and protect public health.
Here are three ways to ensure you remain up to date:
- Keep track of your certification expiry date and plan for renewal in advance.
- Stay informed about food safety news and regulatory updates in Alberta.
- Apply your food safety knowledge daily to reinforce good practices in the workplace.
Become a certified Food Handler with CIFS today
With CIFS, obtaining your Alberta Food Handling Certificate online is easy and convenient. The fully online Food Handler Certification Course allows you to learn at your own pace, take the exam when ready and receive your certification quickly.
If you are looking to work in Alberta’s food industry or want to enhance your food safety skills, don’t delay—get certified by enrolling in the Food Handler Certification Course today.
Want to know more before enrolling? Get in touch with our team, they will be happy to help.
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