Course Overview

It's hard to think of anything more fundamentally important than effective food hygiene when serving food to the public. Learn about causes and prevention of food poisoning, pest control and regulations.

You will cover safe and hygienic food handling techniques, as required by New Zealand environmental health agencies, for working in food manufacturing, takeaways, cafés or restaurants. You will learn to maintain effective personal hygiene in the workplace, prevent cross-contamination and keep high risk food at the correct temperature. 

Topics include appropriate presentation and clothing, cleansing following unhygienic actions, skin conditions that cause contamination, contagious illness management, and the use of hygienic equipment during food preparation and storage. Other topics focus on sanitary work areas and equipment, food expiry dates and rubbish disposal. The deterrence of pests such as insects, rodents, domestic animals and birds is also discussed.

This complies with various food safety legislation including the Food Act 2014 and the Health and Safety in Employment Act 2015.

For business groups we offer training option specifically targeted to your business. Whether you are an established restaurant, café, Marae, childcare centre or retirement village, we can run the training on campus or onsite at your workplace.

Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive:

  • NZQA credit for unit standard 167
Locations To be confirmed
Next intake To be confirmed View more details
Study options

2 weeks part-time

Total credits 4
Indicative Fees $240 for domestic students View full fees information
Eligibility View entry criteria

To see the information for international students change your location using the button at the top right of the screen.

Topics you'll cover

This course covers the NZQA unit standard 167 - Practice food safety methods in a food business.

Content covered includes:

  • Defining food hygiene and food poisoning
  • Causes of food poisoning
  • Food spoilage and food storage
  • Safe and hygienic practices
  • Common food poisoning bacteria
  • Foodborne illness
  • Pest control
  • Food hygiene regulations

Note: Requirements for food hygiene standards can be found on your local government website.

Course Fees

Indicative Fees * $240 for domestic students

*Please note, fees for our 2024 intakes are yet to be confirmed. Once they are, we will update our website to reflect the new 2024 fee amount.

* Important fee information, and hints and tips

Help with fees

Are you Eligible for Free Fees?

There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.

Student Loans and Allowances

This course does NOT meet the requirements for student loan or allowance applications through StudyLink.

Find out more at studylink.govt.nz


Course Entry Information

Entry criteria

There are no minimum academic requirements (open entry).

Standard Entry Criteria

Admission, entry, selection, and enrolment into programmes will be in accordance with the Academic Regulations and/or, where approved, specific programme regulations.

English language requirements

Level 3 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQA Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013.


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Course Locations and Intake Information

Intakes to be confirmed Ask to be notified when the next intake becomes available

Study options

  • 2 weeks part-time

Important dates

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