Food Standards Continuing Professional Development Module

Start date
April/May 2019
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development
Fees
We charge an annual tuition fee.
Contact us for fees.

This module is an excellent introduction to the main areas of food standards. Although primarily aimed at enforcement bodies, the content is likely to be of interest to those working in various sectors of the food industry, especially where the labelling and composition of foods is of importance.

Student looking into microscope

Aimed at food safety officers having obtained the Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection (HCFPI), completion of the Food Standards module represents half of the conditions required to convert to a Higher Certificate in Food Control (HCFC), as outlined by the Food Law Code of Practice.

The Food Standards module is a ten credit module accredited by the Environmental Health Registration Board which may be taken by holders of the Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection.

The course is held over five days and a case study, serving as module assessment, will have to be submitted at an ulterior date. The 2019 course will be held from the 29 April to the 03 May. The case study submission deadline is the 17 June 2019. Lectures will take place on the University of Birmingham Edgbaston Campus.

Successful Completion of the module provides evidence that the candidate is suitably qualified to carry out official controls in food standards as indicated in section 4.4 of Food Law Code of Practice, and, together with the Food Inspection Endorsement, will meet the requirements for the Higher Certificate in Food Control. Officers with the Higher Certificate in Food Control may be authorised to use section 9 of the Food Safety Act 1990.

How To Apply

The Food Standards module is available to holders of the Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection.

Please complete the registration form (word document) and return it as soon as possible, together with the tuition fee to:
Gill Burrows, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT,
Tel: (+44) (0) 121 414 9151
Email: g.burrows@bham.ac.uk

Applications close on 01 April 2019 (4 weeks prior to the commencement of the course). Please note that a limited number of 24 places are available on the course, which will be allocated strictly on a first-come-first-served basis with payment required to secure a place.


Contact us for information:
Gill Burrows, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT,
Tel: (+44) (0) 121 414 9151
Email: g.burrows@bham.ac.uk

The subjects covered by the module include:

  • legislation relating to composition and labelling, chemical safety, marketing standards, allergens and additives legislation
  • food adulteration and authenticity, the role of Public Analysts and the limits of common techniques used
  • food composition including the legal composition of foods such as chocolate, meat products, dairy products etc.

The module assessment will take the form of a case study through which candidates can demonstrate their competency in food standards. It will have the to be submitted to the University 17 June 2019. Details of the assessment and marking criteria will be provided during the lectures.

The course tutors and assessors are from a wide range of backgrounds and include Environmental Health Officers and Trading Standards Officers as well as specialists from the Public Analysts Office, academia and industry.

Many local authorities are re-evaluating the way they deliver food controls. One trend is to upskill existing staff so a wider range of controls can be delivered by each individual officer. Food Standards, traditionally the domain of TSO’s in County Councils, is one area that EHO’s and Food Safety Officers are being asked to include in their repertoire.

The Food Standards module provides an excellent grounding in food labelling and other aspects of food standards enforcement and can act as a refresher for experienced officers taking on new responsibilities or as a conversion for holders of the HCIFPI who need to be able to deliver additional controls.

Culture and collections

Schools, institutes and departments

Services and facilities