The Food Standards Agency carries out a range of work to ensure that food sold on commercial premises is safe to eat. Those found selling inadequate food could be fined and lose their licence to sell food, with this in mind a
food safety course becomes even more important.
It is essential that businesses selling food manage their hygiene carefully as if they don't it can lead to food poisoning and illness for customers. Millions of people suffer from food poisoning each year, and if the route of the food poisoning can be traced back to your restaurant then you could be fined or even worse, closed down.
The Food Standards Agency are there to protect businesses from being closed down and customers from being ill. There are important food hygiene regulations laid out, which all catering businesses have to follow. The Food Standards Agency can 'drop in' to food premises at any time so it is vital that all measures are followed to ensure the hygiene of the restaurant and the food.
If you own a restaurant it is important to have strict hygiene measures in place. One measure which needs to be in place is the 'food safety management procedures' based on a hazard analysis and critical control point. These must be kept in place and followed by all staff members. Restaurants and caterers must also keep copies of up to date documents relating to the procedures in place.
By law, individuals are required to undertake a food safety course to ensure that regulations are followed correctly and efficiently. There are many courses which can be undertaken by a delegate, including Food Safety in Catering, HACCP in Catering, Supervising Food Safety in Catering and Managing Food Safety. Each of the courses are different, but all cover the legislations covering food. The course you undertake is dependant on the industry you are working within and the level you are working at.
The standard course for anyone working in food safety is the 'Level 2 Award in Food and Safety Course'. This is suitable for anyone working in catering, retail or manufacturing where food is prepared. The course gives delegates a good understanding of food hygiene and how to prevent food contamination. It is recommended that a refresher course is undertaken for this course every three years.
If you want to keep your restaurant, and customers safe from harm, ensure you enrol on a food safety course.