As swine flu frenzy continues to sweep the nation, a new qualification aimed at improving cleanliness in the food industry has been launched.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has today announced the launch of its first cleaning qualification in an effort to better equip the food industry with the skills to control possible health hazards associated with cleaning in food premises.
The award, the CIEH Level 2 Award in Cleaning in Food Premises was created in response to industry requirements and increasing demand from commerce to provide Ofqual accredited qualifications and educate businesses and personnel about the dangers of poor hygiene in food preparation areas. Current research shows that many companies are falling below par when it comes to acceptable standards of cleaning and this in turn has been linked to incidences of food poisoning.
Commenting on the increased demand for tailored cleanliness training, Richard Booth, a training provider from Regency Lodge Training and Development in Blackpool, said: “The benefits of having trained staff far outweigh the costs involved. We have seen a huge demand from local businesses in the hospitality sector, looking to get their staff equipped with a recognised cleaning qualification."
