Overview
The Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel will examine food safety in kitchens that provide food in licensed child-care facilities across Alberta and make recommendations on how to better protect children.
The panel will review the Public Health Act, the Food Regulation, the Institutions Regulation, the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations and any applicable standards, guidelines or operating procedures to improve food safety in licensed child care facilities.
This work will help strengthen the food safety system and will be instrumental in preventing future outbreaks.
Input received
Albertans shared feedback through an online survey which closed on April 15, 2024. The results are now under review.
Panel mandate
The panel will review the Public Health Act, the Food Regulation, the Institutions Regulation, the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations and any applicable standards, guidelines or operating procedures to improve food safety in licensed child care facilities.
Their final report and recommendations are expected in spring 2024. If the panel is able to identify early opportunities to enhance or strengthen Alberta’s food safety regulations or procedures, an interim report with recommendations may be completed.
Panel members
The panel members include representation from the for-profit and not-for-profit child care sectors, food service industry and experts in food safety and in public health. The panel members are:
- Rick Hanson, former Calgary Police chief
- James Kellner, Pediatrician and Infectious Diseases specialist, Alberta Children’s Hospital, and Professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
- Lynn McMullen, University of Alberta Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Science
- Leslie Echino, Owner and Operator, Annabelle’s Kitchen and Bar
- Tyler Shapka, Owner, Hopscotch Early Learning & Child Care
- Shannon Doram, President and CEO, YMCA Calgary, Association Services
News
- Update: E. coli review panel (November 27, 2023)
- Government launches panel to respond to E. coli outbreak (September 27, 2023)
- Encouraging news: Update on E. coli outbreak in Calgary (September 19, 2023)
- Statement from Chief Medical Officer of health (September 15, 2023)
- Supporting those affected by the E. coli outbreak (September 15, 2023)