According to the World Health Organization, more than two million people die each year because of complications of diarrhea – the major (and most dangerous) symptom of foodborne illness. But how does foodborne illness infect people? What exactly causes it?
Foodborne illness
The cause of foodborne illness is ingesting food contaminated with microorganisms and/or chemicals. Not all bacteria can cause an infection, but certain strains can – and the symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Microorganisms that are able to cause sickness are called pathogens. A person who has ingested a pathogen can expect signs and symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, and stomach cramps.
The name of the condition itself – foodborne illness- means that it is transmitted through contaminated food. Microorganisms and chemicals end up on products consumed by people because of improper food handling. Bacteria can even grow on properly prepared food if it left out in room temperature for too long.
Certification for Food Safety Training in Hamilton
Hamilton First Aid is one of the providers in the city that offer quality food safety and sanitation training and corresponding certification. Our training programs are very popular among students as well as food service workers. We have a basic first level training course available, introducing concepts of microbiology, foodborne illness causes and prevention, housekeeping, and personal health and hygiene.
The second level is more advanced than the first, focused on concepts and skills that should be known by managerial staff and employees in supervisory positions. It basically covers everything a person should known about running a food establishment.
The first level of training is eight hours long over a single day. The second level of training is 16 hours long over two days. After completing both course, you will be awarded with (different) training certificates. You need to have a first-level credential before taking the second-level course.
Food safety requirement in Hamilton
If you work in Ontario, you have to know that all facilities that handle food in any way, whether or not food is sold or simply served for free, are required to have members of its staff trained and certified in food safety and sanitation. The rest of the staff can be trained in food safety in an in-house program by the facility.
This food safety training requirement was set up by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s Health Protection and Promotion Act. As on 2014, all medium and high-risk food facilities are required to have supervisory staff members trained and certified by a locally-approved training program.
While not all food service workers are required by law to get food safety training, you may be selected by your employer to be trained. Hamilton First Aid is approved by the Hamilton local health authorities; you can be sure that any training credential you receive from us is valid all over the city of Hamilton and the rest of Ontario.