edmonton Food Safety Regulations

Every foodservice establishment in Alberta is subject to the province’s key food safety legislation - the Alberta Food Regulation - which governs food safety training requirements and the operation of commercial food establishments. Restaurants in Edmonton, however, should be aware not just of provincial laws, but also municipal food safety regulations.

In Edmonton, food safety is overseen by the Public Safety Compliance Team (PSCT) which is responsible for licensing, regulation, and enforcement of laws relating to business establishments. Operating within the PSCT, the Alberta Health Services (AHS) agency is directly responsible for managing food safety in food establishments. This includes:

• Monitoring food establishments to ensure good food handling and storage practices, food handler hygiene, and sanitation and maintenance of equipment
• Responding to public health complaints
• Checking food handler certification 
• Carrying out enforcement action if appropriate

food handler certification in edmonton 

Every operator of a restaurant or food premises in Edmonton must have a valid food handling permit before they’re allowed to open their establishment. An application for a Food Handling Permit must be completed and submitted to Alberta Health Services at least 14 days before the business opens.

After receiving a completed application, a public health inspector will carry out an on-site inspection to ensure all equipment and fixtures are in place and operating, all construction is complete and the premises are in a clean and sanitary condition. 

Permits issued to operators are non transferable, each new operator of the business must apply for their own permit two weeks before taking ownership.

It’s not just the owner that needs food handler certification. Under Section 31 of the Alberta Food Regulation, there needs to be at least one certified food handler on the premises when there are six or more food handlers working. This includes servers. You’ll still need at least one certified food handler when there are five or less staff on duty, but this employee can be off-site. 

Food handler certificates must be prominently displayed where customers can see them. 

Penalties for non-compliance with the Alberta Food Regulation are severe and strictly enforced. AHS has the power to force restaurants to close if they deem them to be in violation of the legislation. Food premises could also face fines and criminal penalties for repeated offenses.

Getting your food safety certificate edmonton 

AHS will only recognize approved food handler certificates, meaning those that are vetted by the agency. 

FoodSafetyMarket’s online food handler certification course, Managing Food Safety, is fully compliant with all Alberta food regulations and approved by AHS. The nationally accredited course gives learners everything they need to quickly and conveniently become certified food handlers.  

Delivered online and boasting a 98% pass rate, Managing Food Safety is the easiest way to keep your team compliant and ensure they learn from the best in the business. Packed with engaging visuals, detailed infographics and real-life case studies, the course is accessible to students of all abilities and is available in several languages including English, French, Arabic, Punjabi, and Chinese.

Whether you’re a foodservice employee looking to boost your resume or a restaurant operator needing effective training solutions, we can help. Contact our team today to discover our wide range of food handler training materials and courses.