CIEH and Food Standards Agency to launch Food Hygiene and Standards Qualification in September

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is going to launch a new Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) in Food Hygiene and Standards Control in the month of September, developed in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency.

The certificate would be recognised by the Food Standards Agency as a suitable qualification and will enable individuals to deliver food controls as per the food law code of practice.

It will combine both work-based experience as well as knowledge, available for practitioners, providing them with the necessary skills and experience.

“The APC is an exciting development that supports the development of qualified, competent food practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds​,” said Debbie Wood, Executive Director, Membership and External affairs, CIEH.

“Considering the political and financial landscape our profession exists in, I am delighted we have been able to work so closely with the FSA on a recognised pathway that reflects the move towards holistic inspections encompassing both food hygiene and food standards. This is a positive step that will secure our future​,” Wood added.

According to experts, the qualification is likely to address the shortage of qualified food safety officers across the United Kingdom. Also, it will support the move to a holistic approach to food law interventions by making optimum utilisation of resources and targeting high risk and non-compliant businesses.

The Professional Certificate is the culmination of efforts to make a streamlined route to qualification in food enforcement.

“I welcome CIEH’s work on the APC and am delighted the FSA could support it. The new qualification will help ensure that local authorities have the right people with the right qualifications to do this vital work, and that they can deploy them flexibly,​” added Emily Miles, CEO, FSA.