Title: Food safety

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        *   [Food Safety Legislation](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/food-safety/food-safety-legislation)
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        *   [Food Safety Provincial Policies](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/food-safety/food-safety-provincial-policies)
        *   [Engagement on the Guideline for the Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Markets](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/food-safety/engagement-on-the-guideline-for-the-sale-of-foods-at-temporary-food-markets)

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# Food safety

![Image 38](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/icons/last-updated-star.svg)Publication date: April 7, 2026

Learn how to protect yourself from food-borne illnesses caused by eating contaminated food.

## **About food safety**

Food safety – making sure our food is safe to eat – is important to all of us. One in eight British Columbians get a foodborne illness (“food poisoning”) every year.

Food-borne illness comes from eating food contaminated with bacteria, parasites, viruses, poisonous chemicals or toxins. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever. Most people are sick for a few days then get better. Foodborne illness can also be life threatening, especially for children, pregnant women, the elderly and individuals with weak immune systems.

People may not realize they have a foodborne illness because they can get sick hours or even several days after eating contaminated food.

Most people are sick for a few days and then get better. However, food-borne illness can be life threatening for especially vulnerable people, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and individuals with weak immune systems.

The Ministry of Health shares the responsibility for food safety in B.C.with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), health authorities and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Learn more about food safety in B.C.:

*   [Food Safety Legislation](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/food-safety/food-safety-legislation)
*   [Food Safety Provincial Policies](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/food-safety/food-safety-provincial-policies)
*   [Food Safety Courses](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/food-safety/food-safety-courses)
*   [Food Safety & Sanitation Plans](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/food-safety/food-safety-sanitation-plans)

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## Food Safety Complaints

If you have a food safety complaint or concern, please contact your local health authority office.

*   [First Nations Health: Environmental Public Health Services](https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/environmental-health/environmental-public-health)
*   [Fraser Health: Restaurants, food stores, and personal service establishment complaints](https://www.fraserhealth.ca/about-us/contact-us/health-protection-feedback)
*   [Interior Health: Food Safety](https://www.interiorhealth.ca/services/food-safety)
*   [Island Health: Environmental Public Health Concerns Intake Form](https://redcap.viha.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=L8JHKPEET398H3PK)
*   [Northern Health: Food safety](https://www.northernhealth.ca/services/environmental-health/food/food-safety#food-safety-tips)
*   [Vancouver Coastal Health: Feedback](https://www.vch.ca/en/about-us/contact-us/compliments-and-complaints/health-protection-feedback)

## Permits and Approvals

Use these resources to learn about getting a permit or approval from your health authority to operate a food premises.

*   [Fraser Health: Food safety](https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/food-safety)
*   [Interior Health: Approval and Permits](https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/FoodSafety/Pages/Permits.aspx)
*   [Island Health: Food Safety](https://www.islandhealth.ca/health-topics/food-safety/food-safety)
*   [Northern Health: Food Facilities](https://www.northernhealth.ca/services/environmental-health/food/food-facilities)
*   [Vancouver Coastal Health: Permits](http://www.vch.ca/public-health/environmental-health-inspections/restaurant-food-safety/apply-for-a-food-service-permit)

## Food Safety Resources

Use these resources to learn more about food safety and food safety risks.

*   [Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Food safety for consumers](https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-safety-consumers)
*   [BC Centre for Disease Control: Food Safety](https://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/food-safety)
*   [HealthLink BC| Food safety: Easy ways to make food safer](https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/food-safety-easy-ways-make-food-safer)

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