Transport & Distribution plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of food within Australia's supply chain, transporting goods across a large portion of the country’s 873,000km road network.
Given the quantity and widespread distribution of goods that pass through the food supply chain daily, it’s vitally important that operators maintain meticulous food safety standards when storing, handling and delivering the food we eat.
This responsibility isn't just a moral one, it's a legal obligation too. Adherence to food safety regulations is a non-negotiable requirement that necessitates professional training such as the Food Safety Supervisor course. This blog will explore this course in more detail, explaining its significance in ensuring consumer safety and how it can be specifically applied to the transport and distribution sector.
Let's start by discussing the specific role that Food Safety Supervisors play within a food transport and distribution business.
What Does a Food Safety Supervisor Do?
A Food Safety Supervisor in Transport & Distribution is responsible for monitoring and implementing food safety initiatives throughout their business. The aim of this is to preserve the health and safety of consumers while also ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
To fulfil their duty as a Food Safety Supervisor, individuals must be able to:
- Manage food safety procedures at all stages of the distribution process.
- Incorporate strategies created in accordance with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system.
- Implement safe food handling and storage practices.
- Ensure adequate hygiene standards are maintained.
- Maintain routine cleaning and sanitising procedures.
Who Needs Food Safety Supervisor Training?
The designated Food Safety Supervisor should be someone who is available to advise and supervise food handling staff in the workplace. This could be the business owner, a licensee, a manager, an employee or an external contractor.
Whoever is chosen to carry out the role must successfully complete a government-approved Food Safety Supervisor course in order to obtain certification.
Training Requirements for a Food Safety Supervisor in Transport & Distribution
There is a specific Food Safety Supervisor course for individuals employed in the transport and distribution sector. Businesses in this sector include:
- Bulk food carriers
- Water carriers
- Food delivery services
- Warehouses that store food or food products
If you have been put forward as a designated Food Safety Supervisor for a food transport and distribution business, you must complete an industry-specific training program that covers the relevant units of competency.
Food Safety First (FSF) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) authorised to deliver a government-approved curriculum aligned with current food safety legislation. Continue reading to explore the specifics of the Food Safety Supervisor course and its potential impact on food safety in the context of Transport & Distribution.
What Units of Competency Do I Need for Transport & Distribution?
To obtain Food Safety Supervisor certification in the transport and distribution sector, you must complete a government-approved training program that covers the following units of competency:
- SITXFSA005 (Use hygienic practices for food safety)
SITXFSA005 covers the fundamental principles of food safety, including personal hygiene, safe food handling, and the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic food preparation environment.
- SITXFSA006 (Participate in safe food handling practices)
SITXFSA006 focuses on practical aspects of safe food handling, including temperature control, preventing cross-contamination, and safe storage of food.
The above units of competency are also awarded for the hospitality sector. The Industry Skills Council (ISC) for the transport and distribution sector has determined that the training requirements are the same.
Food Safety Supervisor Course Content
Food Safety First delivers an online Food Safety Supervisor training program that meets the curriculum requirements of each state and territory in Australia. The interactive course includes 19 learning modules accompanied by a variety of assessment activities designed to verify your knowledge.
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Interactive Learning Modules
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Food Contamination & High-Risk Groups
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Biological Contamination
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Other Types of Contamination
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Cleaning & Sanitising
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Maintaining Food Premises
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Hand Washing
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Personal Hygiene & Workplace Behaviour
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Illness & Onsite Injuries
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Time & Temperature Control
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Receiving & Storing Food
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Working with Food Safely
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Serving Food Safely
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Food Safety Programs
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Identifying Food Safety Hazards
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Monitoring, Controlling & Correcting Food Safety Hazards
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Reporting, Investigating & Recording Food Safety Breaches
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Food Safety Management
Assessment Activities
There are four methods of assessment used throughout the Food Safety Supervisor course:
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Quizzes
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Case Studies
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Reading Activity
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Observer Report
Students are given a series of multiple choice questions to answer after each learning module, case study and reading activity. The Observer Report is the only assessment activity that isn’t completed online. This section requires participants to complete practical tasks under the observation of a nominated food industry professional.
Statement of Attainment
After successfully passing your assessment you will be awarded a Statement of Attainment to confirm your certification. This document lists the units of competency that have been obtained and can be used as proof if requested by an EHO conducting a food safety inspection at your workplace.
Certification is valid for five years and those that wish to maintain their status must repeat the Food Safety Supervisor course.
Applying Food Safety Supervisor Training in the Transport and Distribution Industry
The Food Safety Supervisor course gives you the knowledge and expertise needed to enhance food safety across various transport and distribution processes.
Safe Handling and Transport of Food Products
The food transport and distribution sector revolves around the movement of perishable products, making safe handling crucial. The Food Safety Supervisor course outlines practices to implement robust policies, including:
- Proper loading and unloading procedures to prevent damage to perishable goods
- Maintaining appropriate temperature controls during transport to avoid food spoilage
- Regular vehicle checks to ensure compliance with food safety standards
- Emergency response protocols for unforeseen situations during transportation
By following these protocols, organisations can reduce incidents of spoilage and contamination, further ensuring the safety of transported food items.
Safe Food Storage in Distribution Centres
Distribution centres often store perishable food items, making adequate food storage procedures a key part of their day-to-day operations. The Food Safety Supervisor course includes guidance relating to the safe storage of food. Here are four examples:
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Labelling and dating food items appropriately.
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Maintaining a First In, First Out (FIFO) policy to ensure older products are distributed before newer ones.
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Implementing adequate temperature control measures to prevent food spoilage and the development of harmful pathogens.
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Segregating raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
HACCP in Food Transportation
The course includes information enabling transport and distribution businesses to effectively apply the key principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system to food transportation procedures. This universal method enhances food safety by identifying, assessing and managing potential hazards in all aspects of food transportation. There are five aspects to consider:
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Developing monitoring procedures to ensure safe food handling.
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Establishing Critical Control Points (CCPs) and critical limits to prevent food-borne illnesses.
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Identifying potential food safety hazards related to food storage and handling.
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Setting up Corrective Actions to address deviations from critical limits.
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Creating verification procedures to confirm the effectiveness of the Food Safety Plan.
Become a Certified Food Safety Supervisor
Whether you operate a food logistics company, distribution centre or warehousing facility, you have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that you appoint a certified Food Safety Supervisor.
Food Safety First is here to make the process easy for you. By registering for the FSF Food Safety Supervisor course you will be securing a place on a government-approved training program delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
The course can be completed online in approximately eight hours with no classroom attendance required. After passing your assessment you’ll receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment, verifying your compliance with food safety laws.
Other industry-specific Food Safety Supervisor courses are available too, including Hospitality, Health & Community, Food Processing and Retail.
What are you waiting for? Enrol today or get in touch with the FSF team to discover all the benefits associated with FSF Food Safety Supervisor training.
Important Links
Food Safety Supervisor Course (Level 1 & 2)
Food Safety Supervisor Course (Level 2)