The Quebec government plans to trim the number of food poisonings with a new program requiring grocery stores, restaurants and cafés to have at least one worker trained in food safety present for every shift.
Johanne Twigg, regional director of the Quebec Food Inspection Agency, said the government is preparing mandatory food safety training for food service employees. Workers who attend the training program will ensure that proper food handling procedures are followed by co-workers on their shift.
The government says there are about 2,500 cases of food poisoning every year, half of which have been traced back to restaurants.
'We don't think it's a big cost to assume by the owners'—Dominique Tremblay, Quebec Restaurateurs' Association
The Quebec Restaurateurs' Association welcomed the plan, saying they've been pushing for such a program for more than 10 years. Spokeswoman Dominique Tremblay said she hopes the program is implemented quickly.
Tremblay said owners will likely have to absorb the costs of the training, which could entail as many as 30 hours of courses.
"We don't think it's a problem because it's probably going to be a small cost," Tremblay said. "We don't think it's a big cost to assume by the owners."
Restaurants worried about training costs
Peter Takas, who operates two Montreal restaurants, said while he welcomes the idea of the food safety courses, he's concerned about the cost.
"I don't like the idea, I guess nobody likes that," he said. "But if that comes in and we have to accept it, I mean, I wouldn't go against it. I would pay for it."
The program will provide training for as many as 25,000 employees across the province.
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