Food hygiene training equips workers in the food industry with the knowledge they need to follow food safety protocols in the kitchen. In many places, food hygiene training for some kitchen employees is a requirement for a restaurant’s or other food-serving establishment’s license. Community colleges, trade schools, and career schools are all good places to get food hygiene training.
Running a commercial kitchen comes with a number of risks, including food contamination and the risk of spoilage. Food hygiene training for restaurant owners, managers, and employees can help reduce these risks teaching them how to store, handle, and prepare food safely. Workers in non-commercial kitchens, such as those in churches, group homes, or soup kitchens, may be required to complete a food hygiene training program as well. Food hygiene certification programs are typically updated on a regular basis in order to ensure that the food safety strategies taught are up to date. In many cases, restaurant employees can only take government-approved food hygiene training programs in order to comply with local laws. Restaurant employees may also be required to display their current food hygiene training certification alongside the restaurant’s other licenses and permits, depending on government requirements.
The requirements for food hygiene training vary greatly depending on the government. Food hygiene standards are usually enforced county or city inspectors in the United States, though state law may prescribe standards for food safety education. Culinary schools may include food hygiene training and certification as part of their curriculum, but graduates may still have to pass a separate, government-approved licensing exam. The requirement for restaurant employees to complete this type of training varies state. Local laws, for example, may only require some employees to receive training if a certified employee is present at all times to supervise the non-credentialed employees.
Other options for food safety training exist for restaurant employees and owners who do not wish to attend culinary school. Food safety training programs in many parts of the United States, for example, can be completed in a matter of days, and online food hygiene training courses are available in some areas. A restaurant worker may be required to repeat the course every few years to renew his or her certification or license, depending on local laws. Short food safety workshops or continuing education courses are other options for refreshing food hygiene education.