The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has announced that it will be launching a new Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) in food hygiene and standards control which has been developed in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Available to study from September 2020, the new APC will be recognised by the FSA as a suitable qualification and will allow individuals to deliver food controls as set out in the food law code of practice.
The new APC will combine knowledge delivered by learning providers either as part of an accredited degree or as a standalone module and work-based experience.
“Considering the political and financial landscape our profession exists in, I am delighted that 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.”
The CIEH says the new qualification will help to address the shortage of qualified food safety officers across the UK. It says it will also support the move to a holistic approach to food law interventions to help make effective use of resources and target high risk and non-compliant businesses.
CIEH’s Advanced Professional Certificate was designed to develop a streamlined route to qualification in food enforcement and aims to ensure that practitioners will have a suitable path towards authorisation for work relating to official controls.
Debbie Wood, executive director of membership and external affairs at CIEH, said: “The Advanced Professional Certificate is an exciting development that supports the development of qualified, competent food practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds.
“We are delighted to see the result of real partnership working with the FSA and are proud to have been at the forefront of creating and shaping this flagship qualification.
“Considering the political and financial landscape our profession exists in, I am delighted that 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.”
Emily Miles, chief executive of the FSA said: “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.”
