Province seeks public feedback through survey on food safety

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on March 27, 2025.

Alberta’s government is working to improve food safety in the province, and is seeking feedback from residents.

These steps harken back to the E.coli outbreak that struck Calgary childcare facilities in the fall of 2023, which while there were fortunately no deaths, did result in 448 cases with total of 38 children and one adult hospitalized.

Following the outbreak, the province established an external review panel to identify ways to strengthen food safety legislation and inspection processes in kitchens servicing licensed child-care facilities. Now they are building on the actions taken following the review.

“Public engagement is a key part of our commitment to doing everything we can to protect Alberta’s most vulnerable populations,” said Adriana Lagrange, Minister of Health. “The feedback we receive will give us a full perspective, helping ensure we consider every angle as we look to make changes to current food safety regulations.”

Starting March 26, Albertans are invited to participate in an online survey to help inform the implementation of the review panel’s recommendations and Alberta’s public health legislation, regulations and policies related to food safety, says the province.

If implemented, some recommendations may also affect the broader food service industry, including food establishments.

The survey is seeking feedback from all residents, but is especially interested in hearing from facility-based childcare providers, family members of children in said care, members of the food service industry or public health inspectors.

The survey can be found at alberta.ca/food-safety-engagement.

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