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.
The City of Hamilton offers 2 options to become a certified food handler:
1. SELF-STUDY & CHALLENGE EXAM - (YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE)
2. FULL DAY COURSE - (YOU NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE)
OPTION #1. SELF-STUDY AND CHALLENGE EXAM
You can take our self-study course by downloading the manual from the links provided below, or by purchasing our printed study guide for $25.00, which includes the exam fee (Funds payable to The City of Hamilton by cheque or money order only, NO CASH ACCEPTED.)
To purchase a binder or for more information please contact us Monday - Friday between 8:30 - 4:30 by phoning the food program secretary:
905-546-2424 ext 2551
our office is located at:
1 Hughson St. N. 3rd. Floor
Hamilton, ON L8R 3L5
To download the guide, click on one of the links below:
All Exams will be held at:
Hamilton Convention Centre
1 Summer's Lane, 2nd Floor
Albion Room C
Hamilton, ON
|
| Date |
Time |
Location |
| January 30 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| February 27 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| March 26 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| April 30 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| May 14 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| June 25 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| July 23 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| August 27 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| September 17 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| October 15 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| November 26 |
10am, 2pm, 6pm |
Albion Rm. C |
| December NONE |
|
|
FEE: $10.00 This price includes a certification card which is valid for 5 years. Please make cheque or money order payable to the City of Hamilton. NO CASH accepted.
TIME: Exam sittings are held at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on the days listed on previous page
OPTION #2. FULL DAY COURSE
Public Health Services offers one day certification courses on a monthly basis. The fee for the course includes the exam wchich you write on the same day as the course.
All Courses will be held at:
Hamilton Convention Centre
1 Summer's Lane, 2nd Floor
Albion Room C
Hamilton, ON
|
| Date |
| April 23 - FULL |
| May 07 - FULL |
| June 18 |
| July 16 |
| August 20 |
| September 10 |
| October 01 |
| November 19 |
| December 10 |
REGISTRATION: To register for the full day course, call 905-546-2424 ext 2551
FEE: The fee for the course is $38.00, which includes the exam. The exam is written the same day.
TIME: Courses run from 8:30am - 4:30pm on the dates listed above.
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
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
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: April 12, 2012