Serving Safer Food Alberta

Established in 2010, “Serving Safer Food Alberta” is an on-site HACCP-based food safety management program for food service establishments modelled after the United Kingdom’s Safer Food Better Business. A province wide pilot phase was conducted to evaluate the program. Food service establishments (n = 88) who volunteered to participate were provided with a guidebook and a diary to track food hygiene “safety points” daily in their facility. The technical and scientific aspects of the HACCP framework were translated into a simplified operator and staff friendly manual – the Guidebook.

Public health inspectors conduct routine visits to educate the operator one-on-one and provide guidance on establishing and maintaining the program. Upon completion, the participating establishments are publicly distinguished with certificate awards. To promote incentives to uphold this higher food safety standard, the award needs to be recertified on a yearly basis.

Evaluation results indicate positive program feedback from both operators and public health inspectors. Public health inspectors noted that operators were much more cooperative during inspection visits and demonstrated a greater sense of pride in food safety. Further, early results suggest potential improvements in hygiene performance among participating establishments.

Personne-ressource :
Michael Sidra
HACCP Program Coordinator
Environmental Public Health Services
Courriel : Michael.Sidra(at)albertahealthservices.ca
Téléphone : 780-735-1807