Experts have pointed out that a recent outbreak of E. coli, which has affected hundreds of individuals and has been linked to a daycare catering company in Calgary, has brought much-needed attention to food safety issues at daycare facilities. The outbreak has prompted discussions about the need for improved regulations and safety measures in shared kitchens used by daycares.
The Calgary outbreak has resulted in 337 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli infection. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has indicated that the province is exploring the implementation of new regulations related to shared kitchens and food safety in response to this incident.
Martha Friendly, the executive director of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, noted that Canada is currently in the process of strengthening its child-care system with recent financial support from the federal government. However, food safety has not been a prominent topic in these discussions. Child-care regulations regarding food provision vary from province to province, with some requiring child-care centers to supply food for children, while others mandate that centers serve food provided by parents.
Friendly highlighted that in provinces where there is no requirement for child-care centers to supply food, such as Alberta, there may be limited regulations governing food handling and safety.
David Farnell, CEO of Real Food for Real Kids, a Toronto-based daycare catering company, emphasized that his company implements numerous procedures to ensure the safety of meals and snacks provided to children. Many of these procedures go beyond what is regulated by the province. He acknowledged that these safety measures come at a significant cost but are deemed necessary due to the high stakes involved in providing safe food for children in daycare settings. The E. coli outbreak has underscored the importance of robust food safety practices in daycare facilities and the need for consistent and comprehensive regulations to protect the health of children in such environments.