Alberta Pasteurizer Operator License Issuance Policy Change

From: Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation

Subject: Pasteurizer Operator License Issuance Policy Change 

Effective November 9, 2022, Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI) will no longer offer the in-person Pasteurizer Operator Licensing Course at the Food Processing Development Centre (FPDC) in Leduc, Alberta. 

Effective November 9, 2022, AGI’s Food Safety Branch (FSB) will maintain a list of on-line courses offered by third party organizations that will serve to support the legislative requirement for licensing of Alberta pasteurizer operators. Upon successful completion of a listed course and its associated exam/test, participants will be issued a pasteurizer operator license from the Meat and Dairy Inspection Section of FSB. 

The intent of this policy change is to enable flexibility from a scheduling perspective for the Alberta dairy industry to meet the legislation as well as to reduce the overall resources industry expends to license pasteurizer operators (e.g., time for current FPDC course, travel costs etc.). 

Several on-line options are included on the enclosed AGI course list. Upon completion of a listed course and exam/test, please notify AGI’s Meat and Dairy Inspection Section via e-mail at [email protected] including confirmation of course exam/test completion for license issuance. 

If you have questions regarding this policy change, please e-mail [email protected]. 


Pasteurizer Operator Licensing - Course List

Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) 
High Temperature Short Time (HTST) Pasteurizer Workshop 
https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/high-temperature-short-time-htst-pasteurizer-workshop 
This course is only suitable for Alberta pasteurizer operators that require an HTST pasteurizer operator license. 

Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) 
Vat (batch) Pasteurizer Workshop 
https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/vat-pasteurizer-workshop 
This course is only suitable for Alberta pasteurizer operators that require a vat (batch) pasteurizer operator license. 

DWC FoodTech (Australia, Melbourne) 
Principles of Food Safety in Dairy Pasteurization 
https://dwcfoodtech.com.au/training-solutions/principles-of-food-safety-in-dairy-pasteurisation/ 
This course covers both vat (batch) and HTST pasteurization so is suitable for Alberta pasteurizer operators that require one or both types of licenses. 

Food Safe (New Zealand) 
Global Pasteurizer Operator Training - Basic (one day course) 
https://www.foodsafe.net.nz/food-safety-courses/heat-treatment-training-course/ 
This course is only suitable for Alberta pasteurizer operators that require a vat (batch) pasteurizer operator license. 

Food Safe (New Zealand) 
Global Pasteurizer Operator Training - Advanced (two day course) 
https://www.foodsafe.net.nz/food-safety-courses/heat-treatment-training-course/ 
This course covers both vat (batch) and HTST pasteurization so is suitable for Alberta pasteurizer operators that require one or both types of licenses. 

BCIT - School Of Health Sciences (British Columbia) 
FOOD 1151 - Dairy Processing 
https://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/food1151 
This course covers both vat (batch) and HTST pasteurization so is suitable for Alberta pasteurizer operators that require one or both types of licenses.