Certification courses in basic food hygiene are being offered by the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), beginning in February.

All persons working in the food industry who have not yet taken one of these training courses, or those needing to update their certification, should register to attend.

“Operators of Food Businesses are reminded that DEH requires all personnel handling food to be trained.” says Senior Food Safety Officer Gideon Simms.

Course dates are as listed below:

·       February 6, 2013                BASIC HYGIENE

·       February 20, 2013             BASIC HYGIENE

·       March 6, 2013                     BASIC HYGIENE

·       March 20, 2013                 BASIC HYGIENE

·       April 10, 2013                    BASIC HYGIENE

·       April 24, 2013                    BASIC HYGIENE

·       May 8, 2013                        BASIC HYGIENE

·       May 29, 2013                      BASIC HYGIENE

·       June 12, 2013                     BASIC HYGIENE

·       June 26, 2013                     BASIC HYGIENE

Each session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the DEH conference room in the CI Environmental Centre, located at 580 North Sound Road.

A registration cost of $15 per person covers all materials and fees should be paid at DEH headquarters, also at 580 North Sound Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Basic Food Handlers’ training will equip participants with sufficient knowledge to prevent food-borne illness and the spread of food-borne pathogens. Certification lasts for three years. Persons wishing to continue as food handlers after expiry must renew their certification.

For more information, call the DEH at 949-6696.