Studies & Degrees in Food Hygiene

Choose where you would like to study Food Hygiene:

Remember a while back regarding a recall on some peanut butter products being recalled because it was found out that salmonella bacteria were present in them? That’s just to show that food even though packed in sanitized containers and contains a seal of approval from the food bureau that they were safe, the threat of food contamination is always a clear and present danger. That’s why there is usually a branch of government in any country that will see to it that all foods, processed or not meet safety standards to ensure the quality of foods for sale is fit for human consumption.

To those who are in the food business, there is a certificate course which all food handlers and even the owners of the food businesses should take so that everyone is aware of the risks involved in dealing on such a venture. Enrolling in a Food Hygiene course is actually required by law for everyone who is handling foods for the intention of serving foods to the public at least in the US and some countries in Europe.

There are three kinds of Food Hygiene courses as the food industry is basically classified into three different categories. The three categories are For Catering, for Retail and for Manufacturing.

The first category, For Catering, would mainly deal with businesses that directly serve foods to the consumer like restaurants, food carts and special events caterers such as weddings and home parties. This course specifically for the catering business will also cover those serving foods such as the hospital, home for the aged and schools. So, if one is engaged in any of the above business, then they should take this category upon signing up for a Food Hygiene course. Those who would fall in this category would more or less be given lessons on how to prepare food to meet the safety standards of the government. Like for example preparing burgers, the meat should have came from a source that has been approved by the city vet and that it should be cooked in a minimum temperature so as to make sure that the harmful effects of bacteria and other microbes are negated.

The next category which is For Retail will be dealing with packaged foods which are usually at the groceries and supermarkets or foods that are intended to be eaten at a later time. Retail would also include butcher shops and market stalls. So those involved in these types of food businesses, then they should take this appropriate category of Food Hygiene course. This category will be including lessons in marking foods or labeling and rotating of stocks among other subject areas.

The third category, for Manufacturing, would typically include companies that are involved in mass production, processing, packaging and storage of foods. The main difference of this category is that it will also focus on control measures in dispatching food products and as well as traceability so that when there are questionable items, they could easily recall those products that are being sold in the market already.

Although all three are engaged in food handling, it is not justifiable to have a standardized training as each category differs with each other. However, there is not a law that says that anyone could not take the other categories as well as some businesses would be involved in the other categories as well.