Currently, the trading relationship between Canada and the United States is the largest in the world. In 2014 alone there were $26.2 billion in agriculture and agri-food products imported to Canada from the U.S. This massive amount of trade requires similar food inspection standards and systems to ensure the safety of citizens on either side of the border. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed an agreement with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada, which confirms that food safety standards and systems in both countries are comparable, leading to the facilitation of trade, enhanced cooperation,.. READ MORE »
BPA is an acronym that stands for bisphenol A, and is an industrial chemical that has been used to make plastics since the 1960s. It’s often found in plastic containers that are used to store food and water, as well as the inside coating of food cans. Recently, some studies have pointed to the potential for BPA to “leech” into food products stored in these containers. On top of that, concerns have emerged over a possible link between adverse health effects and the presence of BPA in food or beverages. As a result, some companies and governments are working to.. READ MORE »
A food handling certificate is important for a career as a food plant and operations manager, a quality assurance manager, a chef, or any other role in a restaurant team. When working in a restaurant, your food handling certificate will give you the right knowledge to ensure that food is handled and prepared safely so that your restaurant passes its food inspection. The exact rules for food safety differ across Canada and can be handled by provincial governments, municipalities or regional health authorities. Toronto, for example, uses its own DineSafe regulation which adheres to both Ontario’s food safety regulations and.. READ MORE »
In 1936 famed hot dog producer Oscar Mayer launched its mobile hot dog cart named The Weiner Mobile. Since then, street food has gone through an extraordinary evolution, beginning with Kogi BBQ, a Korean-taco truck that is known as the first gourmet food truck. After the success of Kogi, the food truck industry blossomed into a $1.2 billion dollar industry in the U.S. and an almost $300 million dollar industry in Canada. With this rise in popularity there has been a synonymous rise in the health and safety regulations for food trucks, as food safety professionals work hard to ensure.. READ MORE »
Canada takes food safety seriously. In fact, we have one of the best food safety systems in the world, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In fact, the agency notes that “while no food system can guarantee zero risk, the CFIA’s comprehensive approach to inspection ensures that its resources are focused where the risk is highest and verifies the industry is producing safe food for consumers.” Of course, at the center of this world-class system are top professionals with food technology training. These diligent professionals work as production associates, food safety and quality assurance technicians, microbiologist technicians, product.. READ MORE »
Every day, trained professionals use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze food samples and keep consumers safe. HPLC is a useful and important method for separating the liquid components of food samples into their core chemical compounds. By breaking down complex mixtures using specialized chemical detectors, HPLC pros identify, classify, and quantify a food’s components— thereby detecting any unusual additives or contaminants present. Because consumer food safety is such an important responsibility, most countries have established tolerance levels for chemical additives and contaminants allowed in food products. In Canada, HPLC training programs teach students how to comply with the nation’s.. READ MORE »
Food colouring regulation has been one of the most controversial areas of food quality control for a long time. This is because over the years, some food dyes that were previously thought to be safe were eventually found to have harmful effects. As new studies and information have emerged, food industry professionals have quickly adapted to new regulations in order to continue to meet safety standards. That’s why some dyes that were once the norm are now strictly limited or banned altogether. And if you’re planning to pursue a food safety career, staying on top of new regulations will become.. READ MORE »
Knowing how to safely handle, store, and prepare foods is an important part of working in the food industry. By implementing proper safety procedures, you’ll be able to keep foods safe and prevent the spread of potentially harmful viruses, bacteria, prions, and other pathogens. These harmful pathogens can sometimes enter the food supply when proper safety procedures aren’t closely followed. While they can appear in everything from fresh leafy greens to fresh fruits, they are more likely to grow in foods that are rich in protein and moisture like dairy, eggs, and meats. Fortunately, you’ll quickly learn how to keep.. READ MORE »
Have you ever wondered how experts determine the precise, scientific degree of a food product’s safety? It’s all about microbiology. Tiny microbes in food products can tell you a great deal about that food product’s bacterial makeup, and whether or not it’s conducive to safe consumption. If you choose to work in the food technology and food safety field, you’ll learn to examine food products and ingredients for the microscopic flaws that can put consumers at risk. Food quality control professionals are employed throughout the modern food supply chain to detect spoilage and determine germ content, minimizing contamination risks and.. READ MORE »
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an E. coli outbreak sourced to the popular burrito chain, Chipotle Mexican Grill—and it’s not the first run-in Chipotle’s had with foodborne disease. Chipotle is a North American chain that specializes in burritos and tacos. It calls itself a “fast-casual” restaurant as opposed to a fast food or traditional restaurant-style eatery, and its popularity comes in part due to its commitment to sustainable and ethical food production processes. These processes, as food safety professionals have discovered, aren’t always up to scratch. If you’re interested in making a career out of ensuring.. READ MORE »
