New standards give retail sector national training framework for food safety

Retail employers and training providers now have the benefit of a single, nationally-recognised competency framework for developing external and in-house training courses in food safety.

Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for the retail industry, has now published the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Food Safety in Retail, developed in response to new European Food Hygiene legislation requiring ìappropriateî training of staff working in food premises.

ìAll food retailers should now be working to these standards to ensure compliance with the new legislation, which came into on January 1st this year,î says Skillsmart Retail Chief Executive, Alan Roberts.

ìRetailers can also be assured that the standards are appropriate for their businesses, as they have been developed by retailers for retailers to ensure they are fit for purpose. The British Retail Consortium and small and large food retailers have all contributed to the development process.î

The standards will now also be used by awarding bodies to develop a new VRQ (Vocationally Related Qualification) in Food Safety that is specific to the retail industry.

For a copy of the NOS for Food Safety in Retail, visit the Skills & Qualifications section of Skillsmart Retailís website www.skillsmartretail.com or contact Standards Manager, Angela Roberts, on 01274 684 481 or email angela.roberts@skillsmartretail.com.