FoodSafe Level 1 Courses in Vancouver

Q: IS FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 REQUIRED IN BC?

Yes. Under B.C. health regulations, at least one person with valid FOODSAFE Level 1 certification must be present at all times in any establishment where food is being prepared, served, or stored.

Q: HOW LONG IS THE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 COURSE?

The course typically takes 6 to 8 hours to complete in a classroom setting.

Q: IS FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 RECOGNIZED OUTSIDE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA?

Yes. While FOODSAFE is a B.C.-based program, many provinces and territories in Canada recognize FOODSAFE Level 1 as an acceptable equivalent to their local food safety certifications.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 EXAM?

You need a score of 70% or higher to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test. Most providers charge re-exam fees, but at Fundamental First Aid we will provide as much training as you need to pass the exam at no extra charge.

Q: DO YOU OFFER THIS COURSE IN VANCOUVER?

Yes , all of our public courses are held at our training facility in Vancouver. Check out the map below to see where we offer the absolute best OFA Level 1 courses in Vancouver.

Earn your FOODSAFE Level 1 certification and gain the essential skills to safely handle food and meet B.C.’s provincial health requirements.

FOODSAFE Level 1 is a nationally recognized food safety training program designed for anyone working in the food service industry, including cooks, servers, dishwashers, food handlers, and even food delivery drivers. This engaging and practical one-day course gives you the knowledge and confidence to keep your workplace, and your customers, safe.

In British Columbia, FOODSAFE Level 1 certification is required by provincial health regulations for at least one employee on every shift in any food service establishment. That means restaurants, cafes, food trucks, care facilities, daycare centres, and even temporary event vendors must ensure their staff are certified. The certificate is valid for 5 years and is recognized throughout B.C. and across many other provinces in Canada. By completing this course, you’ll meet your legal obligations, enhance your employability, and gain practical skills that are essential for success in any food-handling role.

AT FUNDAMENTAL FIRST AID, YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY

FoodSafe Level 1 Schedule

FoodSafe Level 1 Course Content

This course covers the following topics:

Essential principles of food safety
How to prevent foodborne illness
Proper hygiene practices
Safe food handling
Receiving and storing food
Cleaning and sanitizing procedures
How to identify and control food safety hazards.

Who should take this course?

Restaurant Managers
Cooks
Food delivery drivers

Servers
Dishwashers
Food Handlers

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, you will leave at the end of the day with your official FoodSafe Level 1 Certification from the BC Ministry of Health. Certifications expires 5 years from the date of your course.

We are Vancouver's top rated training centre!

Fundamental First Aid Ltd.

5.0

Based on 629 reviews

Cody Beasley

23:40 12 Apr 25

Very funny instructor, never a dull moment

Kimberly Nicole Garcia Alvarez

23:39 12 Apr 25

Teacher Joe is the best! He makes the course very funny and interesting, see you back in 3 years!!

Art Ponomarev

23:39 12 Apr 25

Joe made the class interesting, relevant, and interactive.

Justin Preston

23:38 12 Apr 25

David Rupf

23:33 12 Apr 25

Joe Chan was a great First Aid instructor. Very knowledgeable and a great teacher.

Breta Brassard

23:55 24 Mar 25

First time attending a Fundamental First Aid course and I highly recommend. Great location,(free parking!) Very knowledgeable and helpful instructor. I found the room quite hot and stuffy, and I wish there were snacks available 😅 but besides that I recommend this course! (Bring snacks, it's a long day of learning )

Bob Ennenberg

21:31 20 Jan 25

The course was fantastic--because of the teacher, the format, the clarity of the online portion, and the focus on the right stuff. Honestly, our instructor was exceptional, so knowledgeable, and a terrific speaker and storyteller. I loved her multi-leveled thinking of a critical situation, her ways of encouraging memory. I've taken these courses for over 40 years--sometimes instructors read off of slides (snore) and it was impossible to concentrate--but in this course, I learned in a way that totally engaged me, made me think of real life situations I've experienced, feel the importance of these skills and know how to retain them. I sure hope others take this course when it comes my turn to need the help of strangers.

Casey Foster

21:37 09 Jan 25

I had a great experience taking my Intermediate First Aid Course at Fundamental First Aid. Located in an easy to find facility that is clean, organized, and functional, with easy parking.Ezequiel is an excellent instructor! His pacing and communication is great, and he was able to keep the program focused and fun at the same time. I would highly recommend him as a first aid instructor!

Hélène

00:34 09 Jan 25

I had an amazing experience! Ezequiel is a fantastic instructor, very knowledgeable and professional. I’d recommend getting your First Aid Training with Fundamental First Aid 100%

Enrico Fontana

22:06 12 Oct 24

The trainer was not just a good teacher, but also a field experienced worker.

Bozhena Moskovych

02:40 12 Oct 24

Michelle Samaei

02:34 12 Oct 24

My instructor Raymond was absolutely amazing!! ☺️

Marge green

19:27 09 Oct 24

I recently attended the Fundamental First Aid Course in Vancouver, and it was an excellent experience. The in-person Naloxone training was particularly valuable, and the instructor, Blake, was knowledgeable and supportive. I appreciated that they provided a Naloxone kit upon completion of the training, which adds a practical element to the course. Overall, I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to enhance their first aid skills, especially with Naloxone training.

roan jahn

05:38 08 Oct 24

Great staff, friendly, professional, informative, and both instructors made the course very engaging and enjoyable. The class room and equipment were also very clean and organized.

ANTHONIA AKOKOMEBE

04:23 08 Oct 24

My first aid training was an outstanding experience! The instructor went above and beyond in delivering the course. His teaching style was engaging and memorable, motivating me to apply what I learned in real life, rather than just treating it as another certification. I feel more confident and prepared thanks to his approach.

Kwadwo Boakye

21:06 05 Oct 24

I highly recommend Fundamental for anyone looking to train in First Aid. The trainers bring exceptional experience and in-depth knowledge to the course. They not only have a thorough understanding of the material but also a deep familiarity with WorkSafeBC’s requirements. The learning experience is incredibly practical and hands-on, which makes all the difference.As a first-time First Aid student, I left feeling confident and capable—like a pro! The trainers focus on real-world application, ensuring that you’re ready for any situation related to your level. The facility is very clean, and there is free coffee, which adds a nice touch to the overall experience.

Dusanth S.

23:41 02 Oct 24

I recently completed my Intermediate First Aid training with Ezequiel, who was an informative and engaging instructor. He explained real-life scenarios clearly, making the content easy to understand and apply. The training facility was clean and neat, with plenty of space and all the necessary equipment. They even had coffee, a fridge, and a microwave for breaks, which was a nice touch. Parking was also convenient and hassle-free. Overall, it was a great learning environment, and I feel much more prepared to handle emergencies. Highly recommend Fundamental First Aid!

JacieJazzyChef

01:18 15 Sep 24

My husband and I recently completed the Standard First Aid course with Fundamental First Aid and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! The course was well-structured, providing clear, practical knowledge that left both of us feeling confident and prepared to handle various emergency situations. The materials were easy to follow, and the hands-on practice was invaluable.What stood out was the instructor. She was incredibly knowledgeable, and engaging, and made the entire learning process enjoyable. Her real-world experience and approachable teaching style made it easy to ask questions and feel supported throughout the course.I highly recommend taking a course through Fundamental First Aid to anyone looking to gain practical first aid skills – you’ll leave feeling empowered and ready to assist in an emergency!

Hsien Chih Shu

20:43 09 Sep 24

I completed my level 1 certification a couple days ago with Ezequiel as my instructor. There were just me and another student that day so the learning process was rather more direct and engaging in a chill manner. The classroom and equipments were new and neat. I would definitely come back if I ever need to renew it or pursue a higher level.

Kaisey McGowan

14:53 04 Sep 24

Kathy was a great instructor, she was very mindful of time, what we were taking in, and ensuring the practical portion was the dominant experience. There was no time to be bored but there was plenty of opportunity to go over things and ask questions if we were stuck or not understanding. This was the best first-aid course I have taken yet!

Ioana Rosca

16:44 03 Sep 24

What a great experience. First day with Bivaik was incredible. She definitely has the gift of teaching, she was kind, patient and clear to make sure everybody was on board. Super fun to chat with, we learned a lot from her and it made our first day so pleasant. We had Blake for our intermediate class and that was equally good. What he is doing there is really great to see. Organization, great teaching and just a passion to help. Thank you!

Matt Bonaparte

01:26 01 Sep 24

Tavleen Bedi

23:33 31 Aug 24

Joe chan is very good instructor very knowledgeable and fundamental first aid course is so good!

Osarugue Usoh

22:44 31 Aug 24

Great knowledge acquired.

Ollen Magat

22:43 31 Aug 24

Took my first aid level 2 here at fundamental. So far 1 of the best and hands on experiences I’ve had. Both instructor was amazing very knowledgeable and tons of experience. Thank you fundamental I will be beck. When it’s time to renew.

Adam Fraser

17:22 22 Aug 24

I recently attended First Aid training, and Bivaik was a fantastic trainer! The session was engaging and informative, and I now feel confident that I can assist my team in case of an emergency. Highly recommend this course to anyone looking to build their first aid skills

Karan Lohetiya

19:26 01 Aug 24

I recently completed my First Aid Level 2 training with Fundamental First Aid, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. From the moment I reached out to book the course, Blake Steinson, the owner, was incredibly helpful and accommodating. He made the booking process seamless and ensured all my questions were answered.The course itself was a fantastic experience. Our instructor, Belinda, was outstanding. Her expertise, engaging teaching style, and genuine passion for first aid made the five-day course not only informative but also enjoyable. Belinda's ability to break down complex concepts into easily understandable parts and her hands-on approach ensured that everyone in the class was confident in their skills by the end of the course.I highly recommend Fundamental First Aid to anyone looking to get certified. The combination of excellent customer service and top-notch instruction made this an invaluable and fun learning experience. Thank you, Blake and Belinda, for such a positive and enriching training!

Sandra J Wrigley

18:20 27 Apr 24

Having never taken a first aid course I had no expectations other than I knew it would be fast paced with a lot to learn.The day was lead by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructor, who gave great demonstrations and assisted when necessary. He was very informative and has a delightful personality.The meeting room was clean, well organized and welcoming. All the equipment was in good working order. Parking was easy! I highly recommend.

Private FoodSafe Level 1 Course at your Workplace

Book Fundamental First aid to provide a private group course at your worksite.

We bring all the materials and equipment needed to certify your staff in FoodSafe Level 1 on-site anywhere in Greater Vancouver!

FoodSafe Level 1 FAQ's

WHAT IS FOODSAFE LEVEL 1?

FOODSAFE Level 1 is a government-approved food safety training program in British Columbia. It teaches the basics of safe food handling, hygiene, sanitation, and how to prevent foodborne illness in commercial food settings.

WHO NEEDS FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION?

Anyone who handles food in a commercial or public setting should take FOODSAFE Level 1. This includes cooks, servers, dishwashers, deli workers, food truck staff, grocery store employees, and anyone preparing or serving food to the public.

IS FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 REQUIRED IN BC?

Yes. Under B.C. health regulations, at least one person with valid FOODSAFE Level 1 certification must be present at all times in any establishment where food is being prepared, served, or stored.

HOW LONG IS FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 VALID FOR?

In British Columbia, FOODSAFE Level 1 certification is valid for 5 years. After that, it must be renewed to stay valid.

HOW LONG IS THE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 COURSE?

The course typically takes 6 to 8 hours to complete in a classroom setting.

CAN I TAKE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 ONLINE?

While you can take most of the curriculum online, this would require you to organize an invigilator to administer your exam. This can be difficult and expensive. Since a full in-class course is only $89, we highly recommend you take the in-class training with a qualified instructor from a respected training centre.

HOW MUCH DOES THE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 COURSE COST?

Prices vary by training provider, but the average cost for FOODSAFE Level 1 in Vancouver is between $75 and $100. We offer competitive rates and group discounts for employers.

IS FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 RECOGNIZED OUTSIDE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA?

Yes. While FOODSAFE is a B.C.-based program, many provinces and territories in Canada recognize FOODSAFE Level 1 as an acceptable equivalent to their local food safety certifications.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 EXAM?

You need a score of 70% or higher to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test. Most providers charge re-exam fees, but at Fundamental First Aid we will provide as much training as you need to pass the exam at no extra charge.

DO YOU OFFER THIS COURSE IN VANCOUVER?

Yes, all of our public courses are held at our training facility in Vancouver. Check out the map below to see where we offer the absolute best OFA Level 1 courses in Vancouver.

HOW DO I REPLACE A LOST FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATE?

You can request a replacement certificate from the FOODSAFE Secretariat online at www.foodsafe.ca or contact your course provider for help.

DO EMPLOYERS REQUIRE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1 TO GET HIRED?

Yes. Most employers in food service and hospitality require FOODSAFE Level 1 certification before hiring or as a condition of employment.

CAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE FOODSAFE LEVEL 1?

Absolutely. FOODSAFE Level 1 is suitable for students aged 14 and up and is a great addition to a resume for those entering the workforce for the first time.