A new mandatory food hygiene and handling course has received an encouraging response from community and church groups, according to P.E.I. health officials.

The deadline to receive mandatory training was April 1, when new food handling rules took effect.

Between January and May, 1,200 people took a full certification course and about 300 participated in a shorter course for community and church group volunteers, said Ryan Neale, manager of environmental health with the Department of Health and Wellness.

"The occurrence of preventable food borne illness outbreaks in the restaurants and the volunteer industry is a significant public health issue and it's damaging to tourism and to the brand of Canada's food island," said Neale.

"So, you know our hope is that by having trained individuals they are going to be able to recognize those food safety hazards when they come up, be able to deal with them and prevent illness in the public."

The new food hygiene training course is mandatory for food preparers for non-profit groups holding fundraising suppers or pancake breakfasts. There is a grace period to take the course since it was implemented this year, said Neale.