About this course
Every food business must operate a food safety management system based on HACCP principles. This introductory course explains what that means in practice.
It introduces the seven HACCP principles, the preliminary steps that come before them, and how hazards are identified, controlled, monitored and recorded - so staff understand why the checks they carry out matter.
What learners cover
- What HACCP is and why food businesses are legally required to use it
- The preliminary steps: the HACCP team, product description and flow diagram
- The seven principles of HACCP
- Identifying hazards and critical control points
- Critical limits, monitoring, corrective action, verification and documentation
Course content
The course is delivered in short, bite-size sections that learners can stop and restart at any point.
- Section 1
Why HACCP
The legal background, prerequisite programmes and the benefits of a documented food safety management system.
- Section 2
Getting started
Assembling the team, describing the product and its use, and building an accurate process flow diagram.
- Section 3
The seven principles
Hazard analysis, critical control points, critical limits, monitoring, corrective action, verification and record keeping.
- Section 4
Keeping it working
Reviewing the plan, training staff, and the everyday checks and records that prove control.
Who it is for
Food handlers, supervisors and managers in catering, retail or manufacturing who need to understand the food safety management system they work within.
Entry requirements: No prior knowledge is needed. The course is written in plain English and suitable for all staff.
How it is delivered
Fully online and self-paced
Learners work through the course at their own pace and can pause and resume where they left off.
Any device
Works on desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile, with audio, video and written transcripts throughout.
Interactive throughout
Scenarios, exercises and images keep learners engaged rather than clicking through slides.
Knowledge checks
Short checks at the end of each section so learners can see what has landed before moving on.
Average completion time is around 1.5 hours, though learners can take as long as they need and return as often as they like.
How it is assessed
Knowledge checks run throughout the course so learners can test understanding as they go. The course ends with a multiple-choice assessment taken online. Learners who do not pass first time can retake it.
Certification
Learners receive a Highfield Online Training digital certificate as soon as they pass the end-of-course assessment. Certificates download straight away and can be saved to a CPD log or staff training record.
Refresher guidance: Most employers refresh this training every three years, with a shorter annual refresher in between.
How it works for teams
- 1. Choose how many licences you need and pay by card, or request an invoice.
- 2. Add your learners' names and email addresses.
- 3. We set them up on the course platform and they receive their login by email.
- 4. Track who has been set up from your account.