With food safety high on the list of regulatory priorities, companies are keen to ensure their staff are on top of their game when it comes to preventing contaminated products from leaving the manufacturing plant.

The course offers a way for hygiene managers to get a recognised qualification. It was launched by Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA), the Food Training Partnership, and Holchem Laboratories.

CCFRA claims it is the only nationally accredited course dealing specifically with the management of hygiene in the food processing sector.

"The qualification, which recognises for the first time the professional status of these key operatives, is the equivalent of the UK's National Vocational Qualifications Level Three," CCFRA said in a notice.

The qualification is awarded through the country's Open College Network, which targets adult learners employed in their chosen sector.

The syllabus include segments dealing with hygiene legislation, third party auditing services, and retailers. Staff recruitment and training forms another segment.

Other segments include training on environment issues, health and safety, the chemistry and methods of cleaning, and process verification. Separate segments deal with microbiology, pest control, equipment design and budget controls.

The course involves three two-day workshops. Participants are assessed through the submission of their workbooks and assignments.