In June 2007, City Council passed a bylaw requiring Food Handler certification for supervisory food handlers. Bylaw No. 07-245 came into effect January 1 2008.
FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION BY-LAW
Since January 1 2008, all high risk food premises in Hamilton were required to have a certified food handler working in a supervisory capacity during all hours of operation.
Beginning January 1 2010, all medium risk food premises in Hamilton are required to have a certified food handler working in a supervisory capacity during all hours of operation.
Why is food safety certification mandatory?
Research has shown that food premises with trained staff are better at complying with safe food handling and sanitation practices. This translates into reduced risk of foodborne illness in the community.
High, Medium, or Low Risk?
A high or medium risk food premise means any food premise which prepares, processes or serves foods which have been shown to cause foodborne illness if handled improperly. Examples of these premises include restaurants, fast food take-out facilities, cafeterias, butcher shops, grocery stores with butcher/deli operations, nursing home kitchens and childcare facilities that prepare food for their clients. Examples of low risk food premises, which are exempt from this by-law include convenience stores selling only pre-packaged foods and hot dog carts. Your public health inspector can advise you of your risk category if you are unsure.
Supervisory capacity refers to a manager or supervisor of the food premise or a person who is in charge of food preparation/service while the manager/supervisor is absent.
Example: A sub shop normally operates with part time personnel in the evening with no manager on-site. In relation to this by-law, one of these personnel would be considered “in charge” of food preparation/service and would need to be food safety certified.
There are two ways to become food safety certified:
- Write and pass our food safety certification exam. Exams are held each month at McMaster University, Downtown Centre and the fee is $10.00. This price includes a certification card which is valid for five years. Please see our schedule of classes below.
No registration is necessary for the exam - just show up at the McMaster University, Downtown Centre on one of the dates listed.
Payment options: NO CASH - Only Cheque or Money Order made out to the City of Hamilton.
PHS EXAM Schedule
Exams are held at:
McMaster University
Downtown Centre
50 Main St. E., 2nd Floor
(Old Court House)
Hamilton, ON
| Date |
Time |
Location |
| March 22, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| April 26, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| May 25, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| June 28, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| July 26, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| August 23, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| September 27, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| October 25, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| November 22, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
| December 20, 2010 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Room 241 |
- Hold a valid food safety certificate awarded by another Ontario health unit or from another recognized certification agency. The following alternate certification agencies are currently recognized as equivalent by Hamilton Public Health Services:
Gordon Food Services
TrainCan http://www.traincan.com
Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association
National Food Safety Training Program http://www.crfa.ca/
Ontario Independent Meat Processors http://www.oimp.ca/
FoodPrep http://www.foodprep.ca
There are many ways to prepare for the exam.
Self-Study:
You can take our self-study course by purchasing our printed study guide (in English or French) for $25.00 at the Food Safety Program location (1 Hughson St. N). The purchase price of the printed study guide includes the exam fee. Or, you can download the guide for free and just pay $10.00 when you write the exam.
Other self-study options:
National Food Safety Training Program
http://www.crfa.ca/
In Good Hands
http://www.ingoodhands.ca/
Ontario Independent Meat Processors
http://www.oimp.ca/
TrainCan
www.traincan.com
FoodPrep
http://www.foodprep.ca/
Canadian Food Safety Training
http://www.canadianfoodsafetytraining.com
Hamilton Public Health Services (PHS) Courses:
PHS offers one day certification courses at the McMaster University Downtown Centre on a monthly basis. The fee for the course is $37.00, which includes the exam which you write on the same day as the course. Please make cheques or money orders out to City of Hamilton. NO CASH accepted.
PHS Course Schedule
(Courses run from 9:00am– 4:00 pm)
| Date |
| March 15, 2010 (full) |
| April 19, 2010 (full) |
| May 17, 2010 (full) |
| June 21, 2010 |
| July 19, 2010 |
| August 16, 2010 |
| September 20, 2010 |
| October 18, 2010 |
| November 15, 2010 |
| December 13, 2010 |
To register for course, call 905-546-2424 Ext 2551
Courses are held at:
McMaster University
Downtown Centre
50 Main St. E., 2nd Floor
Room 241
(Old Court House)
Hamilton, ON
Other Local Courses
Mohawk College http://www.mohawkcollege.ca also offer courses including the exam.
Those successfully completing these courses are awarded a PHS certification card.
- public health legislation
- identification of risk factors associated with food - borne illness
- prevention of food-borne illness
- introduction to HACCP
- sanitation
During routine inspections, inspectors will ask the person acting in a supervisory capacity to produce his/her certification card issued by Hamilton or an alternative certificate issued by another recognized certification agency (see above). People working in a supervisory capacity are required under the by-law to show their certificate to the inspector.
Non-compliance with the By-law can result in a fine upon conviction. Fines range from $200.00 - $300.00.
Phone: 905-546-2424 x 2551 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm)
Email: publichealth@hamilton.ca
Additional questions:
Food Safety Program
905-546-3570
or publichealth@hamilton.ca
Last updated: March 18, 2010