The Importance of Food Handler Certificate Training

There are food businesses that arrange training for a Food Safety Supervisor NSW or two, but don’t provide the rest of their team with the appropriate skills and knowledge to handle food safely, such as a food handler certificate.  This practice does not only break the law, but also puts customers at risk, and the business as well.

All foodservice professionals must be trained and educated with the food safety protocols and procedures in order for them to perform their jobs safely and correctly. This ensures that customers will remain healthy and safe. If neglected, the chance of food contamination is increased, which can cause the outbreak of foodborne illnesses. The business will likely suffer from a damaged reputation, resulting in loss of profits, criminal negligence, and even bankruptcy.

If you own a business that is in the food industry, you must understand the reasons why you should educate your employees in food safety.

 

It is mandatory

 

The government body responsible for regulating the comprehensive standard for food safety in Australia, is the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ) which stands for Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

As covered in the Food Safety Practices and General Requirements Standard 3.2.2, it is stated that food businesses must ensure that all individuals performing or supervising food handling operations have the required skills in food hygiene and food safety matters. This means that any person who handles, prepare and/or serving food as well as transporting food, or clean food equipment and utensils must undertake  food safety training.

 

Keep in mind that not providing training for employees is a violation of the law.  A food handler certificate is a great course to offer your general staff.

 

Protects customers

A workforce trained in food safety translates to having customers less at risk of foodborne illnesses.

Another serious issue is food poisoning that can cause severe illness or even death. Some of the worst outbreaks in recent years were the result of food handlers not complying with the correct procedures.

 

Protects reputation

One of the worst scenarios food businesses are trying to avoid as much as possible is to become responsible for a foodborne illness outbreak due to the serious consequences it can bring. Once the media spots a case, they start to publish reports about it which makes it difficult for businesses to recover from such an incident. Some end up having to close their businesses.

Even seeing food handlers scratching their nose or wiping their hands on their apron can instantly influence the perception of a customer towards a business prompting social media users to give bad reviews, which can hurt their reputation.

 

Avoid getting fined

Also known as Health Surveyors, Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are responsible for monitoring food businesses to ensure that they are meeting their legislative obligations, both federal and state. EHOs are the ones who oversee that the training requirements have been complied. Also, they make sure that food handlers are practising personal hygiene at the required level.

If the requirements are not met, businesses may suffer from fines and/or worse, be added to a Name and Shame Register. It was found that food businesses that have issues related to the training and hygiene of food handlers secure a significant percentage from the total number of businesses ‘shamed’ on the register.

To protect your business from such consequences, ensure that your Food Safety Supervisor NSW and other foodservice staff are trained in food safety, such as a food handler certificate (also known as Food Safety Level 1 training).

If your business wants to exercise food safety culture, have your employees equipped with a good food safety training program. It all boils down to the training and education you provide to your employees.

Looking for food safety training in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia or Northern Territory?  Simply click here.