The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has launched a new online food safety training programme designed to help food businesses strengthen staff understanding of core food safety practices and compliance requirements.
The free food safety basics online training modules form part of MPI’s wider Food Safety Toolkit and are intended to support businesses operating across food manufacturing, processing, retail and hospitality sectors.
The first module, Introduction to food safety, is now available online and covers core food safety principles including contamination risks, food handling responsibilities and the importance of safe food practices within day-to-day operations.
Additional modules are currently under development and are expected to cover areas including personal hygiene, allergens, traceability and recalls, handling food safely and maintaining a food-safe workplace.
According to MPI, the training programme is designed to improve access to practical food safety education and support businesses with staff training and onboarding.
Minister for Food Safety Andrew Hoggard says the online format is intended to make training more accessible for businesses and workers across the food sector.
“Food businesses are responsible for making sure the food they sell is safe and suitable,” says Hoggard.
“Having staff who understand the basics of food safety is an important part of achieving that.”
The training modules are available free of charge and can be completed online at a user’s own pace.
For food manufacturers and processors, workforce capability and operational consistency remain key areas of focus, particularly as businesses continue managing labour shortages, workforce turnover and increasing compliance expectations.
Online training systems are increasingly being used across the food sector to support onboarding, refresher training and standardised food safety procedures across production and handling environments.
MPI’s wider Food Safety Toolkit also includes guidance covering cleaning and sanitising, temperature control, hand hygiene and food separation practices.
According to MPI, the additional training modules currently under development are intended to further expand practical food safety guidance available to New Zealand food businesses.
For more visit www.mpi.govt.nz/food-business/food-safety-toolkit/food-safety-basics-online-training-modules.
