Food safety training is an essential part of preparing food that’s safe to consume. Many food businesses don’t prioritize food safety training; what they may have lost site of is how easily food can become contaminated.

Here are some reasons why food safety training is important.

To Protect Customers from Health Risks

If businesses ensure that their staff that’s handling food preparation is adequately trained in food safety, they’re ultimately protecting their customers from health hazards like getting food poisoning.

Reports from Health Canada have shown that over 4 million Canadians become sick from foodborne illnesses, with more than 11,000 hospitalized and 200 deaths annually. Food poisoning can be avoided if people working with food know how to prevent it from getting contaminated.

Contributes to Business Growth

A survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research center found that dirty utensils, stained tables, and unclean bathrooms are among the most common restaurant complaints are . These unhygienic practices lead to a loss of customers who are put off by unkempt appearances.

By investing in employees’ food safety training, managers of restaurants can ensure their staff is maintaining a clean and sanitized environment for food safety. This investment towards food safety certifications, prevents foodborne illness, protects brand reputation and helps to lower negative customer reviews online.

Avoiding Costly Fines and Negative Reviews

Food safety training is a legal requirement in every province, and all food businesses must comply with the food safety regulations in their Province or Territory. Restaurants that don’t follow food safety laws might end up having to pay a hefty fine, or their business might be forced to shut down.

In many jurisdictions,  Public Health Inspections are now posted publicly. These posting may be at the entrance to the establishment and/or the results of a health inspection report are made public on the government’s website, which can be embarrassing and lead to clientele loss.

A restaurant can also lose money if the premises are invaded by pests that contaminate the food, leading to large amounts going to waste. Restaurant owners may also need to spend significant money on pest eradication and might have to temporarily close their business while it undergoes fumigation.

To ensure your restaurant complies with food safety laws, get a food handlers certificate for all your employees. At SafeCheck, we offer the best price for online food safety courses in Canada. Get your employees food safety certification and promote your business as a healthy and safe dining place!