High food safety standards are a legislative requirement in Australia. With the aim of keeping customers and consumers safe from foodborne illness, various food safety courses and certificates are available for those who handle food or supervise food handlers.
Hospitality workers with a solid understanding of food safety practices are necessary for hospitality businesses that handle and serve food. If you’re in the hospitality industry or are an aspiring hospitality worker, food safety education will give you the edge over other candidates, but you’re probably asking, ‘What food safety certificate do I need?’
The Importance of Food Safety Education
Anyone working in hospitality needs to always be conscious of food safety. Small mistakes can lead to food contamination, resulting in the spread of foodborne illnesses. Proper training helps hospitality workers maintain their establishment’s reputation, uphold legal responsibilities, and keep customers safe. Through proper training, you can also learn how to handle, store, and prepare food safely.
Which Hospitality Workers Benefit from a Food Handling Course?
Chefs, kitchen hands, waitstaff, and anyone involved in preparing, handling, or serving food will benefit from a food handling course. While these skills can be learnt on the job, business owners prefer employees who can implement them without additional training.
What You Learn on a Food Handling Course
A food handling course will teach you the importance of food safety, how to identify food safety hazards, control risks, and monitor food safety. This includes learning about personal hygiene, safe food storage, and how to prevent cross-contamination. This knowledge will teach you the foundation of food safety practices.
Who Needs a Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
A food safety supervisor is essential for all category one and two businesses which serve and sell food. Food safety supervisors are responsible for overseeing food safety practices in hospitality settings. Typically, those with a food safety certificate include head chefs, kitchen managers, restaurant managers, and café owners. The certificate holder must be on-site or reasonably available to guide other employees in maintaining food safety standards.
What You Learn on a Food Safety Supervisor Course
A food safety supervisor course is longer and more thorough than a food handling course, going beyond the basics. This course will teach you how to develop and implement a food safety program, conduct hazard analysis, and handle food recalls effectively. You will also learn how to guide and teach other employees food safety practices.
How to Choose the Right Food Safety Certificate
The right food safety certificate is the one which will help you land that ideal job and give you room to grow within your preferred area of hospitality. Those directly involved in food preparation or service will benefit from a food handling course. Those who are in or want to be in a supervisor role are best suited to a food safety supervisor certificate. To make the right choice, assess your role requirements and career goals, but remember that you can always upskill if you choose to pursue a different role.
Proper food safety practices are essential for hospitality establishments to remain compliant with the law and keep customers safe, so remember to choose a reputable institution with nationally recognised certificates. Now that you know which food safety certificate is ideal for you, be it a food handling statement of attainment or a food safety supervisor certificate, you can enrol today and reap the benefits of your new food safety training.
