Should Alberta Adopt Restaurant Food Safety Grades?
Official title: Food safety engagement
After an E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares in 2023, Alberta is rethinking food safety rules. The government wants to know if restaurants should display inspection grades—like the letter grades you see in some cities. They're also considering a recognition program for businesses with strong food safety practices.
Why This Matters
Eat out? Order takeout? This affects you. Inspection grades would let you see how clean a restaurant's kitchen is before you order. Parents with kids in daycare should pay attention too—this started because of a serious outbreak that made children sick.
What Could Change
Restaurants might have to post inspection grades where customers can see them. The Public Health Act could be updated to require this. Businesses with excellent food safety records might get official recognition. New rules could also affect daycares and other facilities that serve food to children.
Key Issues
- Should restaurants be required to display food safety inspection grades?
- Would a food safety excellence recognition program encourage better practices?
- How should food safety rules for daycares be strengthened?
How to Participate
- Read the Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel's final report to understand what changes are being considered.
- If you're part of the foodservice industry, watch for engagement opportunities in early 2026. Contact ah.publichealthengagement@gov.ab.ca to express interest.