You have to get your MAPAQ certification in hygiene and food safety, but you don’t know which training course to take? Here is some information to help you make the right choice based on your profile.
Is the MAPAQ certification mandatory?
Yes and no:
- All establishments that prepare or handle food are required by law to train some of their staff in food hygiene and safety.
- However, not all people involved in food preparation or handling are required to obtain their MAPAQ certification (sometimes referred to as a “MAPAQ certificate” or “MAPAQ card”).
As a general rule, and although this obligation may vary depending on several criteria, 10% of people employed within an establishment must hold the MAPAQ Food Handler certification.
As an employer and as specified on the official MAPAQ website, you are legally responsible for complying with minimum standards for hygiene and food safety training.
Nevertheless, as many other establishments choose to do, you may decide to go beyond the legal requirements and train your entire staff.
If you are interested in this approach, the Short Training Course offered by the ITHQ is an excellent alternative to explore. Delivered online and exam-free, this training course enables you to quickly and cost-effectively train staff who do not require official certification from the MAPAQ.
In many cases, your employer is the one who will request that you obtain your MAPAQ certificate and will also cover the cost. If this is the case, the certificate will be issued under your name, which means that it will remain valid even if you change jobs.
That said, many people working in restaurant or food services choose to take the Food Handler training course of their own accord. In fact, since it is easier for an employer to hire someone who already has their MAPAQ certification, having taken this course can make your job search easier.
What MAPAQ hygiene and food safety training courses are offered by the ITHQ?
The ITHQ offers 4 different training courses in hygiene and food safety:
All these training courses are offered in French or English and, with the exception of the Short Training Course, all of them include the exam leading to the MAPAQ certification.
Which MAPAQ training course should I choose based on my profile?
Short Training Course
Choose the Short Training Course if you:
- Handle or prepare food
- Need to learn the basics of hygiene and food safety or refresh your knowledge
- DON’T need to obtain your MAPAQ certification
This 3.5-hour training course is offered online only.
Food Handler
Choose the Food Handler training course if you:
- Handle or prepare food
- Work in restaurants, food service or any establishment that produces, processes, sells or transports food
- Need to obtain your MAPAQ certification
This training course is offered either online (6 hours) or in person (7 hours).
Establishment Manager
Choose the Food Establishment Manager training course if you:
- Work as a manager in a restaurant, food service or any establishment that produces, processes, sells or transports food
- Need to obtain your MAPAQ certification
This training course is offered either online (12 hours) or in person (14 hours).
Manager of Food Aid Resources
Choose the Manager of Food Aid Resources training course if you:
- Work as a manager in a community or charitable organization offering food assistance services (emergency food aid, soup kitchens, collective kitchens, etc.)
- Need to obtain your MAPAQ certification
This 14-hour training course is offered online only.
What is the difference between Food Handler and Food Establishment Manager training courses?
The Food Handler and Food Establishment Manager training courses cover all the essential standards and rules in hygiene and food safety. Both training courses will equip you with the best practices to adopt in order to prevent health risks for your customers.
However, the Food Establishment Manager training course goes a step further: it includes a management component that will enable you to implement health procedures within your establishment and mobilize your teams so that they, too, can apply these rules.
Is it mandatory to complete the Food Handler training course prior to attending the Food Establishment Manager training course?
No. The ITHQ’s hygiene and food safety training courses are like Russian dolls:
- The Food Handler training course includes the content of the Short Training Course.
- The Food Establishment Manager training course includes the content of the Short Training Course and the Food Handler training course.
- The Manager of Food Aid Resources training course includes all the above content plus a module dedicated to food aid resources.
As the content of the Food Handler training course is already part of the content of the Food Establishment Manager training course, it is not necessary to take the former before the latter.
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
Are you still unsure about which MAPAQ training program to choose?
- Visit the official MAPAQ website.
- Contact our team by phone, at 514-282-5115, option 2, or via email by filling out the form available on the Contact us page. We will be happy to help!
Any questions?
514 282-5115, option 2
or toll-free at 1-800-361-5111, ext. 5115