How can you teach staff food safety and hygiene?

1 Assess your staff's knowledge

Before you start any training program, you need to assess your staff's current level of knowledge and skills on food safety and hygiene. You can do this by conducting a simple quiz, observing their work habits, or asking them to demonstrate some tasks. This will help you identify the gaps and weaknesses that need to be addressed, as well as the strengths and best practices that can be shared and praised.

2 Use a variety of methods

Different people learn in different ways, so it is important to use a variety of methods to teach your staff food safety and hygiene. For example, you can use online courses or videos that cover the basics of food safety and hygiene, such as the ServSafe program or the Food Standards Agency's Food Hygiene for Catering course. Additionally, hands-on demonstrations and practice sessions can show your staff how to handle, store, prepare, cook, and serve food safely and hygienically. Posters, charts, stickers, or labels can also be used to remind your staff of the key rules and guidelines. Finally, feedback and coaching can provide your staff with constructive criticism and recognition for their performance, helping them to improve their skills and confidence.

3 Make it fun and engaging

Teaching your staff food safety and hygiene does not have to be a dull experience. You can make it engaging by using games, quizzes, competitions, rewards, or incentives. For instance, you could create a food safety bingo or trivia game that tests your staff's knowledge and rewards them with prizes or certificates. Alternatively, you can organize a cook-off or a taste test that challenges your staff to prepare and present food safely and hygienically. You could even offer a bonus or a gift card to the staff member who achieves the highest score on a food safety audit or inspection. By using these fun activities, you can make learning about food safety and hygiene an enjoyable experience for your staff.

4 Review and update regularly

Teaching your staff food safety and hygiene is not a one-time event. You must review and update your training program regularly to keep up with the latest standards, regulations, and trends, as well as monitor and evaluate your staff's performance and compliance. To do this, you should conduct regular audits or inspections of your premises, equipment, and food products and document the results. Additionally, use checklists, logs, or records to track activities related to food safety and hygiene. Furthermore, encourage staff to report any problems or incidents related to food safety and hygiene and provide them with the necessary support and resources to resolve them. Lastly, offer refresher courses or updates on food safety and hygiene and test their knowledge periodically. Food safety and hygiene are essential for customers' health and satisfaction as well as your reputation and profitability. By teaching your staff effectively, you can create a culture of excellence in your culinary business.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?