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Our FOODSAFE Level 1 course is a fun, interactive, and stress-free training program designed for frontline food service workers. This course is essential for anyone working in the food industry, including cooks, servers, bussers, dishwashers, and deli workers.

FoodSafe Level 1

Course Overview – FOODSAFE Level 1

The FOODSAFE Level 1 course teaches the fundamentals of safe food handling to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure a clean, compliant work environment. Participants will learn best practices for receiving, storing, preparing, and serving food, as well as proper cleaning and sanitizing techniques.

This course meets the regulatory requirements outlined in the BC Health Act: Food Premises Regulation, which requires that every food service establishment operator—and at least one employee per shift—hold a valid FOODSAFE Level 1 certification or an equivalent certificate.

Key Topics Covered:

Foodborne Illness Prevention: Learn how to prevent the spread of foodborne diseases by understanding the causes and handling food safely.
Receiving and Storing Food: Discover proper procedures for receiving, inspecting, and storing food to maintain freshness and safety.
Food Preparation: Learn safe preparation techniques to reduce cross-contamination and maintain food quality.
Serving Food Safely: Understand how to serve food in a hygienic manner to protect customers.
Cleaning and Sanitizing: Learn how to properly clean and sanitize food service areas, utensils, and equipment to meet health standards.

Why Choose This Course?

Essential Certification: Meets BC Health Act regulations for food service establishments.
Practical and Engaging: Interactive, hands-on learning designed to make food safety training approachable and memorable.
Wide Industry Application: Suitable for all frontline food service roles, including kitchen and waitstaff.
Recognized Certification: Earn a FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate, valid across BC.

Course Duration:

Full Course: 8 hours (In-Person)

Important Note:

This course is required for anyone working in a food service role in BC. Participants will receive their official FOODSAFE Level 1 certification upon successful completion.

Full Course Length 8 hours Register Now

Course Details

Topics Covered

FOODSAFE Level 1 includes:

Foodborne Illness
Receiving and Storing Food
Preparing Food
Serving Food
Cleaning and Sanitizing

FAQs

Can you do food safe online?

Yes, while we do regularly offer Foosafe Level 1 and Level 2 in our classrooms, we also offer an online Food Handler Training course which is recognized by the province of BC as an acceptable equivalent to Foodsafe Level 1. Here is a link: https://www.alertfirstaid.com/courses/first-aid-courses/basics

Does Food Safe Level 1 expire?

Yes. Foodsafe Level 1 expires every 5 years, so you will need to retake the course every 5 years to maintain your certification.

How do I get a food safe certificate in BC?

You can take a course from a certified provider, or you can complete a certified online course. At Alert First Aid we offer public Foodsafe Level 1 and 2 courses in both Vancouver and Victoria, and if you have a group that needs to be certified, this can be arranged too. We also offer an online Food Handler Training course that is a recognized equivalent to Foodsafe Level 1 in BC here: https://www.alertfirstaid.com/courses/first-aid-courses/basics

Certification

You will receive a temporary certificate at the end of the course valid for 90 days. Permanent certificates will follow by mail to the mailing address given on your registration form a few weeks after your course. Certificates are valid for 5 years.

Training Schedules & Locations

Victoria Victoria - Downtown Victoria Victoria - Tillicum Centre Vancouver Vancouver - Kingsway

Materials

The FOODSAFE Level 1 course includes the following materials:

FOODSAFE Level 1 Training Guide (hard copy)

Resources

Web Links to Real Cases of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks FOODSAFE Course Resources used in our Foodsafe Level 1 Classes: The Foodborne Illness Report FOODSAFE Course Resources used in our Foodsafe Level 1 Classes: The Food Safety Plan Reference Chart FOODSAFE Course Resources used in our Foodsafe Level 1 Classes: Food Cooling Chart

Who should take this course?

Food service establishment operators and front line food service workers
cooks
servers
bussers
dishwashers
deli workers

Looking for a group class?

If you have a group of people and would like us to come to you to teach a
FoodSafe Level 1 course, we offer this course in the following locations:

Give us a call at 1.866.282.5378, or send us an email at info@alertfirstaid.com to arrange a group course.

I sincerely appreciated Andrea’s calm clear direction. Being an older student taking classes like this can be somewhat overwhelming with volumes of info in such a short time, but the format and presentation made the experience +++ positive. Thank you.

Fran Smyth Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Hi, I took a cpr-c course from instructor Ashley this September. I am an RN and so have had to take very many first aid courses in the past. I would like to say that I was shuffled on to your organization because the original course i was going to take was cancelled and they gave me your company name. When I called I had a good conversation with someone who seemed very on top of things and knew how to give me directions and this person was very practical and seemed to know exactly the kind of cpr-c course I would need. I had never had this happen before... the the person on the other end of the phone actually sounded excited about first aid and that was a first for me. The course was easy to find and was exactly where I was told it would be with big signs out front to direct me and that was awesome. I was not given a hard time for not doing a lot of prereading (I hardly ever do the prereading as I have reading comprehension issues and am more a kinesthetic learner). We had this instructor named Ashley and as I work in mental health I quietly decided that she must have some low grade adhd diagnosis... I guess you would think that this would be a bad thing... but it was an awesome quality. She made the course really a lot of fun and it was the very first cpr course where I have not fallen asleep... seriously! I totally remember how to do cpr now and that is the first time I have taken a course and actually remembered stuff you know. So thank you. I will only take cpr courses from your outfit from now on. I really think you guys got it going on.

Liz

Liz Ringrose CPR C Recertification, Victoria More Testimonials

Very enjoyable. I like to hear about the changes over time that makes first aid more useful for more people. The instructor was creative and energetic, and able to adapt to the various levels of all participants.

John Morrison Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Great class! The interactive components were varied, the teacher was entertaining and it was nice to get feedback.

Angela Behn Occupational First Aid Level 1, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

Thank you!! The hands-on approach way of teaching definitely increased my confidence and helped stick important simple first aid techniques to our memory. I've had different instructors of Alert First Aid over the years - you really do an amazing job providing high quality courses with great teachers!

Hiroko Dunnett Emergency Childcare First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Thank you for teaching in a humorous fun way it made the long day enjoyable.

Byron Knight Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Fantastic job teaching the material! Very engaging and enthusiastic! Best instructor ever!

Jordan Fleurissaint Standard First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

"The course was as good as I expected and provided a solid challenge. There was a good student to teacher ratio. The progression of skills was presented well. Jaimie is a great instructor - positive and honest with feedback."

Anonymous First-Aid Instructor Transfer Course, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

So happy I took this course. I would recommend it to others.

Amy Waines Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"Mike was an awesome instructor - very smart, entertaining and helpful. Will definitely be back when it is time to upgrade/recertify."

Justine Johnson Emergency First-Aid and CPR-C, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials