FOODSAFE Level 1 Course – Your Essential Food Handler Certification in BC
Official BC Health Authority FOODSAFE Certificate | Taught by Certified Public Health Inspectors
All our FOODSAFE Level 1 food safety courses are taught by local Certified Public Health Inspectors who entertain as they educate with amazing real-life restaurant inspection stories full of the best and worst examples of food handling imaginable. Official FOODSAFE Certificates issued by the local Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Who Needs FOODSAFE Level 1?
- The FOODSAFE Level 1 course is mandatory for food service establishment operators and at least one employee on every shift in British Columbia, as per BC’s Food Premises Regulation.
- This food safety certificate course is ideal for chefs, cooks, servers, dishwashers, bussers, deli workers, and anyone involved in food handling, preparation, or storage in restaurants, cafes, daycares, hotels, and care facilities.
- FOODSAFE is also ideal for anyone who simply wants to be confident that the food they serve their family, friends and themselves is safe to eat.
What You Will Learn
- FOODSAFE Level 1 course covers essential food safety practices to prevent foodborne illnesses, to keep your food safe.
- Understanding the food temperature Danger Zone and cross-contamination prevention.
- Topics include how microbes can cause food poisoning, safe receiving, storing, cooking, cooling, thawing, cold-holding, reheating, hot-holding, serving foods, personal hygiene, and the cleaning and sanitizing of dishes, surfaces, and equipment.
Course Format & Certification
- This one-day course runs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm or 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (depending on location).
- In-person food safety classes at locations throughout BC, or via videoconference (Zoom) you can join live from anywhere in BC or the world.
- Taught through an engaging combination of including lecture, video, discussion, slides, and demonstrations while working through the fully illustrated student workbook.
- Temporary certificate received immediately from the instructor upon successful completion.
- Official certificate processed by the Provincial Health Authority arrives in approximately six weeks. This certificate is valid for 5 years.
Multilingual Support
- Workbooks: available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, and Punjabi.
- Exams: available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
- Note: your FOODSAFE Certificate will not indicate the language of your workbook or exam.
- Many of our students are ESL, so our instructors teach in clear, easy-to-understand English, taking plenty of time to ensure understanding.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this the official FOODSAFE Certificate course?
Yes. This is the Certificate course that is required by law wherever food is served to the public within BC. The certificates are issued by the Provincial Health Authority and registered with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.
2. Is FOODSAFE Level 1 difficult?
Our courses are designed to be clear and easy to understand, taught by Certified Public Health Inspectors who make learning easy. They understand that each class has students with a wide range of ages, experience, abilities and language skills, and teach in engaging ways that leave no one behind. Many of our students have not been in a classroom for many years, and are pleasantly surprised at how well they do. With attention during the course, students typically have no trouble at all passing the exam.
3. Does FOODSAFE Level 1 have an exam?
Yes, all FOODSAFE Level 1 courses conclude with a 50 question multiple-choice exam.
4. Do I receive my certificate the same day?
Upon successful completion of your exam, the instructor issues a temporary certificate immediately. Your official FOODSAFE certificate is then processed and supplied by the local Provincial Health Authority office.
5. Does the FOODSAFE Certificate expire?
Yes, all official FOODSAFE certificates expire 5 years from the date of issue.
6. What if I don't pass?
Students must obtain a mark of at least 70% on the multiple-choice test to pass; approximately 95% of students do pass the course the first time. Students who obtain 60-68% on the test may rewrite the exam one time at a later date free of charge. Students with a mark of below 60% (or who do not pass their one free rewrite) are required to retake the entire course.
FOODSAFE Level 1 Classes – Registration & Information
Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley
Vancouver FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Vancouver FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held at the ADVANCE Education Centre at 420 E. Broadway, Vancouver V5T 1X2 (2.5 blocks East of Main Street).
Surrey FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Surrey FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held in the Maple Building of the Surrey Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) campus at 12666 72 Avenue, V3W 2M8
Richmond FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Richmond FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held at the Richmond Kwantlen University campus at 8771 Lansdowne Road, V6X 3V8
Burnaby FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Burnaby FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held in the NE1 Building of the BCIT campus at 3700 Willingdon Avenue
New Westminster FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
New Westminster FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held at Douglas College, at 700 Royal Avenue V3M 5Z5.
Coquitlam FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Coquitlam FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held at Douglas College, at 1250 Pinetree Way, V3B 7X3.
Langley FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Langley FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) campus at 20901 Langley Bypass, V3A 8G9
Vancouver Island
Nanaimo FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
- Nanaimo FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held at the Beban Park Social Centre at 2300 Bowen Rd, V9R 1Z7.
- Please note that our staff is only present at the scheduled class time and room; for information or registration please see the course listings below or contact us.
Interior BC
Vernon FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Vernon FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held in the conference room of the Holiday Inn at 4716 34th Street, V1T 5Y9
Kamloops FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Kamloops FOODSAFE Level 1 classes are held in the conference room of the Thompson Hotel at 650 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2B8.
Kelowna FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
All our Kelowna classes are held in the conference room of the Sandman Hotel & Suites at 2130 Harvey Avenue, V1Y 6G8
Penticton FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
All our Penticton classes are held in the conference room of the Sandman Hotel at 939 Burnaby Avenue, Penticton, BC V2A 1G7
Online by Zoom - Anywhere in BC or Beyond
Online by Zoom FOODSAFE Level 1 Courses
Join our live online FOODSAFE class by Zoom from the comfort of your own home!
Please note that for Metro Vancouver residents, all online videoconference courses require a mandatory in-person exam at one of our designated Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Surrey, New Westminster, or Langley locations to ensure the highest standard of official certification by the local Health Department.
