Hygiene technology specialist Holchem Ltd has launched the first UK nationally accredited hygiene management qualification.

“The course is aimed specifically at hygiene managers who wish to

demonstrate their competence in this vital area of food safety management and will fill a gap in the educational system allowing employers in the future to ensure that hygiene management professionals are suitably qualified,” said Holchem technical services manager Peter Littleton.

Holchem has worked with the Food Training Partnership, to develop the modular course that will complement the often unsociable hours worked by hygiene managers and minimise disruption on their employers.

The syllabus includes legislation, third-party auditing and retailer

Issues; staff recruitment, training, motivation and retention; environmental issues, including IPPC; health and safety relating to the hygiene operation, the chemistry of cleaning and disinfection and methods of dosing, microbiology, including identification and investigation of micro issues. Pest control, design and construction of equipment and food rooms as well as budget controls and financial issues all feature.

Holchem is recruiting for autumn courses in three two-day modules which will be Cambridgeshire and Lancashire.

The course has been welcomed by Johnston Middleton, hygiene manager for Geest’s Caledonian Produce. "At long last! A course that's devised purely around hygiene management and the role we play in the manufacturing of safe, quality wholesome foods,” said Middleton.

Topics