Overview
The Government of Alberta is considering the implementation of recommendations from the Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel’s final report and is seeking input from Albertans and other key stakeholders.
Get informed
The Government of Alberta is investigating the implementation of the Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel (Review Panel) recommendations. If the recommendations are implemented, some legislation may need to be updated, and those updates could affect the broader food service industry.
Background
On September 4, 2023, Alberta Health Services (AHS) declared an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 in multiple licensed child care facilities in Calgary linked to a shared kitchen. In response, the Government of Alberta appointed an external review panel to identify opportunities for strengthening the legislation and inspection processes that govern food safety in kitchens servicing licensed facility-based child care, and the child care settings themselves.
The Review Panel submitted its final report to the Minister of Health and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, outlining a series of recommendations to better protect the health and safety of Alberta’s children in these settings.
See pages 12 and 13 of the Review Panel’s final report for information on the activities the Review Panel undertook to inform their recommendations.
Other Resources
- Public Health Act
- Alberta Health Services - Information for Businesses (including food facilities)
Get involved
Online Survey
Albertans are invited to complete an online survey on food safety in the context of the Review Panel’s recommendations. The list below includes some individuals and groups who may be especially interested in providing feedback.
- Licensed facility-based child care providers and staff.
- Family members of children in licensed facility-based child care.
- Senior, special needs or affordable accommodations/housing providers, staff, clients, family members and support workers.
- Members of the food service industry, including food banks.
- Food safety course providers.
- Public health inspectors.
Outcomes
Feedback received from this engagement will help inform decisions related to:
- the implementation of the Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel’s recommendations, and
- Alberta’s public health legislation, regulations and policies related to food safety.
Contact
For questions regarding the food safety engagement: