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Basic Food Safety
and Hygiene Certificate

This course is approved by all New Zealand Councils and Verifiers, and certification auditors globally. Expert-led basic food safety and hygiene course by NZQA Registered PTE.

About our Food Safety Course

Our Level 2, Basic Food Safety Certificate Training Course is designed for:

  • Small and large food businesses
  • New and existing food home-businesses
  • Early childcare centre service and ECE cooks
  • Healthcare services
  • Community & charity groups
  • Aged Care services and hospitals
  • Bakeries, Cafes and restaurants
  • Supermarkets
  • Mobile food trucks and trailers
  • Job-seekers
  • Food companies
  • Any person or workplace handling food

Our food safety course is accepted by all Councils and Verifiers and delivered by a category 1, NZQA-Registered PTE.

This Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate Course is also known as Food Handling Certificate NZ, Food Hygiene Certificate, Food Handlers Certificate, Food Certificate NZ, Food Hygiene Certificate NZ, and Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate. We also include bonus content by way of a basic understanding to HACCP. 

  • Course Duration: 5 hours
  • Course Delivery: LIVE Online Video Conference Training and Onsite Training Options available
  • Outcome: Recognised Certificate of Achievement after successful completion of the assessment

Our training is customized for any person, and small and large food businesses that require learning about food safety methods and food safety controls. We aim to operate to best food safety practices as part of the Food Act 2014, Food Regulations 2015, and local council Bylaws around New Zealand and international Codex Alimentarius global standards.

Basic Food Safety Certificate
Training Course Content

  • Knowledge of basic food safety and why this course is an investment
  • Answers to questions such as: Can I cook food from home for sale? What does a verifier look for when auditing me? What does jargon such as a “Level 2 National Programme FCP” mean?
  • Information on effective personal hygiene
  • Norovirus, Rotavirus, RSV, and COVID-19 controls to reduce food handling hazards
  • An understanding of the science of allergic reactions, immune response, food intolerance, and special diets such as Celiac.
  • Knowledge of the primary allergen groups (applicable worldwide) and implementing an allergen identification list for a Food Control Plan
  • Effective allergen management tools in a food business such as labelling and cleaning.
  • Learning key HACCP training NZ temperatures to global standards including both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), and recording temperature of high-risk food. This training has been used by our trainees around the world.
  • Knowledge of hazards that cause foodborne illness and food spoilage in a food business including pathogenic bacteria, mould, and viruses
  • Knowledge of methods used to control hazards that cause foodborne illness and food spoilage in a food business.
  • Identifying common examples of food safety risks
  • Pest control methods and how to control pests
  • Criteria for verifier inspections and audit checklists
  • Overview of legislation including the Food Standards Code 2002, Food Act 2014, Food Regulations and how the law applies to a workplace or food business
  • Knowledge of the key elements of a Food Control Plan – FCP + 3 Step Corrective Action – Codex Alimentarius
  • Practice filling out key food safety recordsFood Control Plan Diary
  • Gain insights into Council and Verifier Audits, and how to achieve an A Grade Council Audit
  • Extra research and microbiology information based on our MOC with AUT University – School of Applied Sciences.
Cover image of Food Safe's Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate Training Food Safety Course Content

Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate Course is suitable for:

This food safety certificate (also referred to as a food hygiene certificate) suits people looking for a job or working in a food business or workplace and:

  • The Essential Food Services sector
  • Hospitality sector including cafes, restaurants and bakeries
  • Supermarkets, Dairies & Convenience stores
  • Aged-care facilities & Hospitals
  • Child Care Centres (ECE)
  • Food Truck Drivers
  • Food Processing Companies
  • Cold Storage and Supply Chain
  • Produce Handling roles
  • Hygiene and Cleaning jobs
  • Meat, Seafood, and Dairy companies
  • Petfood companies

Our food safety course is also suitable for any person:

  • looking to start a home food business (so you understand the law),
  • working on a farm or fruit-picking; and
  • looking to up-skill, re-tool and improve their CV for a job in a food company
A man certified in Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate Training on an organic farm handling produce and microgreens.
Food truck employee trained in basic food safety and hygiene by Food Safe.

About Food Safe

Food Safe Ltd is a Category 1 NZQA-Registered PTE. Our food safety courses comply with Council Food Safety Bylaws, Verifier Audits, Food Control Plans, and Risk Management Programmes right across New Zealand.

Our food safety training is trusted by both well-known New Zealand and Global food companies and heaps of small teams too!

Why Choose us for your Food Safety Certificate Training?

  • We have collaborated and delivered food safety and hygiene certification training for a number of performance-fuelled organizations and global brands.
  • The topics we cover and the information we provide on food safety is the very latest.
  • Students gain knowledge and learn in an engaging and interactive environment
  • Our course presentation style suits all learner types. We use slides, pictures, and a show-me-how approach to our food safety training.
  • Food Safe Trainers are industry experts with Lead Audit ISO 22000 qualifications and have extensive practical experience in high-compliance food manufacture, which we bring to the classroom.

Don’t miss out! Read our 5-star Facebook & Google trainee reviews.

Food Safe students received their Food Safety Training Certificates Onsite and Online.

Food Safety Training Delivery

We deliver Expert-Led Online Food Safety Courses and On-Site Food Safety Certificate NZ Courses and Training across New Zealand.

ONLINE FOOD SAFETY COURSES:
Delivered LIVE Online via video conferencing

ON-SITE FOOD SAFETY COURSES:
For your convenience, we hold our Food Safety Certificate NZ course and our other food safety training courses at a number of locations across New Zealand. This includes food safety courses in Auckland, Christchurch, and Hamilton.

We have successfully delivered customised food safety training courses at companies from South Island to the Northland and across from Waiheke in the east to Hokitika in the West!

We go well beyond just basic food safety training to nurture your business plans post-training. One of our invaluable services includes an EXCLUSIVE and passionate post-training Facebook community support group. Our former trainees and successful business owners help support and guide each other on their food business journeys.

Food Safety Training Locations

In addition to training options New Zealand wide our Food Safety Certificate Auckland Course is also delivered at a number of locations Auckland wide:

  • In the North Shore, Albany, Auckland: Food Safety Certificate North Shore for the convenience of Aucklanders living on the North Shore Area from Birkenhead to Orewa
  • In Grey Lynn, Auckland: For the convenience of people in the CBD, Viaduct Ponsonby, New Market, Parnell, Onehunga, New Lynn, Henderson
  • In Manukau, Auckland: Food Safety Course Manukau: For the convenience of people who also live in Papakura, Pukekohe, Papatoetoe, Takanini, Manurewa, Mangere, East Tamaki, Howick & Flat Bush

A great perk we include in our Auckland and all NZ courses is free off-street parking, an invisible and additional cost you need to consider when choosing your food safety course provider.

Our basic food safety course includes FCP resources in Te Reo Māori, Mandarin 普通话, Hindi हिंदी, Korean 한국의, Thai ภาษาไทย, Khmer/Cambodian, and Vietnamese Việt.

Training Location: Online
LIVE Online
ZOOM Video Conferencing
New Zealand

All New Zealand

Training Location: Auckland
Surrey Hotel
465, Great North Road
Auckland, New Zealand

Get Directions

Training Location: Christchurch
Russley Golf Club & Function Centre
428 Memorial Avenue
Christchurch, New Zealand

Get Directions

Training Location: Hamilton
Ventura Inn & Suites
23 Clarence Street
Hamilton, New Zealand

Get Directions
A trainee holding her Food Safety Certification after completing Food Safe's basic food safety and hygiene certificate training course.

Food Safety Certificate: How long does my Food Safety Certification last?

  • Best practice for Cafes and Restaurants: Refresh your food safety course knowledge and renew your certificate every 3 years at the latest.
  • Food Manufacture, Customised food Control Plans & Risk Management Programmes: Refresh your course knowledge and renew your certificate every year.

99

PASS RATE

427

5-STAR TRAINEE REVIEWS

100

FUN HAD

Read all our 827+ Facebook & Google 5
trainee reviews

★★★★★ I just finished my food safety online with Keith. It was very informative course . Thank you so much. I would recommend to my friend.Khemakorn SawangnedninKhemakorn Sawangnednin ★★★★★ It's my first time having an online training that conducted in English. We were a bit worried as Englisg is not our mother language and we all find that it's been and gone well. Keith Michael conduct this Food safety training very fun and we found that his English is understandable. We will recommend more friends to explore an online training with FoodSafe. Khob khun kha and Thank you once again.Maliwan VonganunMaliwan Vonganun ★★★★★ Very informative. Fun class. Well tailored to individual needs and situation.Lincoln MailLincoln Mail ★★★★★ Thanks to the coach, really helpful course, love it.Kevin HeKevin He ★★★★★ Went really well. Enjoyed itMaryrose MMaryrose M ★★★★★ Very interesting class.Fanhua ZengFanhua Zeng ★★★★★ Fantastic, learnt a lot and is very insightful. Would do again and highly recommendJuliette GibbonsJuliette Gibbons ★★★★★ Excellent experience with the online course. Keith is a very knowledgeable genuine instructor, I recommend this course to anyone interested in food safety. ThanksNiko NashNiko Nash ★★★★★ Great course. Covered everything I wanted to know. The online tutor was clear and easy to follow. I enjoyed it. Thankskelcy lewiskelcy lewis ★★★★★ Awesome job thanks best training eva clear and understanding with good jokesLewis AshbyLewis Ashby ★★★★★ Really love the course today and very satisfied with it.And can’t wait to let my other family and friends knows about it tooPomani BiudolePomani Biudole ★★★★★ What a pleasant experience doing this online course! The presenter was such a personable man who made it his priority to put people at ease. He checked in with individuals regularly and related the teaching to the personal situation of the individual where possible. Keith (presenter) went at a gentle pace through the material with slides, video and anecdotes as teaching tools. The assessment at the end had a good time allowance with clear questions in an easy to follow layout.Dixie McDonaldDixie McDonald ★★★★★ Great customised training thank you. I appreciated being able to ask questions specific to my circumstances.Tracy FreemanTracy Freeman ★★★★★ The content and presenter were great. Recommend to anyoneLee-Anne Turi-WelshLee-Anne Turi-Welsh ★★★★☆ Took online lesson for Basic Food Sarety and Hygiene Training. Learned a lot and the instructor was really making an effort to make this a fun experience, which I appreciate. My only issue with the entire experience is the duration is too long and not ADHD friendly. Feel like I missed out on a lot and my brain was just like:” Nah, can’t focus right now.”Would be nice if the course had more frequent break time and even break it into a two day course.Lamer LiLamer Li ★★★★★ Great courseRoseanna Marchant-BullenRoseanna Marchant-Bullen ★★★★★ Really enjoyed our food safe zoom meeting today with Keith today, Keith was informative and was easy to understand. Loved the magic tricks at the end 😆Thanks KeithBrenda ReidBrenda Reid ★★★★★ Very informative and covered more than the basics. Thank you for making the class fun and accessible.Bertus BritzBertus Britz ★★★★★ Great informative course. And tutor was great. I do recommend.. thanksHoopaHoopa ★★★★★ Thank you so much for the opportunity, enjoyed it and I have learned so much. Massive thank youAngelina MisaAngelina Misa ★★★★★ The trainer and course was very informative and I learnt a lot. Thank you.Jackie-Lee HaereitiJackie-Lee Haereiti ★★★★★ Great days training. Easy to follow slides and additional information for future reference. Will be printing the resources and using them as reminder info.Esjay EfEsjay Ef ★★★★★ Our tutor was awesome. You could certainly tell he’s been in this for a long time. Very professional & polite. Clear & concise. Content was easy to understand. For this is the reason I achieved my certificate. Bravo!Kathleen LindsayKathleen Lindsayjs_loader

HOW IT WORKS: Steps to Book Your Course

1

Booking Your Basic Food Safety Course

Click the 'Book Course' button. Choose your preferred date and training type (Online or Onsite) and place your booking.

Payment options: Bank Transfer and Credit Card.

2

Process your payment

You will receive a 'Booking Received' email after you have placed your booking which will include the payment details for your training.

Please process the invoice so we can confirm and reserve your place in the class and connect with you online if you have selected online training.

If you have already paid your course fees by credit card as part of our booking check-out, your booking is automatically confirmed and you will receive a 'Booking Confirmed' email. See point 4 below for next steps.

3

Booking Confirmed

Upon receipt of your payment, your booking will be confirmed.
4

Pre-Training

If you have booked Online Training, we will email you the link to join your training the day before.
If you have booked Onsite Training (face-to-face), there is nothing further to do. Simply come to class on the day of your training. We will send you an email reminder with information the day before your food safety training.
When you receive a course confirmation from us this means we exclusively reserve a place for you in our class which has limited space. If a trainee cannot attend on their booked day, we will do our best to slot you into another class but we cannot guarantee a space as our classes do get booked out in advance. Requesting a new training date or postponement is not deemed to be a new booking. It is simply a postponement and done in good faith. Any cancellations/refund requests relating to this will be based on the original booking date, and apply as per our terms and conditions.
5

Training Day

If you have booked Online Training, please be online 15 minutes before your class start time to say hello to the trainer.

If you have booked Onsite Training (face-to-face), please arrive 15 minutes before your class starts. Double-check your training venue address which is different to the Food Safe Corporate Office address.

FAQs

Do I have to do a Food Safety Assessment?

Yes. At the completion of your training, your trainer will give you an assessment, covering food safety topics, to complete. This assessment requires no typing or writing for you to do. Only yes/no, tick box type of answers. You have to achieve 70% to pass your assessment and to receive your food safety course certification.

Is the Food Safety Assessment hard?

As long as participants are attentive in class and are taking notes along the way, the assessment is not hard. Participants may refer to their notes during the open-book assessment.

When will I receive my Food Safety Certificate?

People who pass the course will receive a Food Safety Certificate of Achievement, on the day of the training, on successful completion of the assessment.

What happens if I do not pass my Assessment?

Your trainer will ask students who don’t pass [Not Yet Achieved] to take the assessment again. You can take the assessment as many times as you like. You will not be charged anything additional for taking the assessment again.

Do I have to prepare before coming to class?

No prior knowledge or homework is required. Your trainer will coach you about food safety methods and food safety risk controls including record-keeping and other relevant food safety topics and information in class.

What kind of job can I get after I achieve my Food Safety Certificate?

Our trainees have applied for roles in Cafes, Supermarkets, Childcare centres, Hospitals, Food Companies, Community Centres, Maraes, School Cafeterias, and Aged Care facilities. A number of our trainees have also set up their own successful home food businesses.

Food Safety Guidance for Food Act 2014

All new food businesses need to register under the Food Act before they start selling food. Check how the law applies to your business. Use the Where do I fit? tool on the MPI website. The tool will tell you whether you need to use a food control plan or national programme.

You’ll need to register with your local council or MPI. This depends on where you operate, and what type of plan or programme you are registering.

Companies we work with

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