Training Pages

SETA Accredited Food Safety Training for Persons in Charge of Food Premises (FS31)

This FoodBev SETA accredited Food Safety training for the person in charge of food premises introduces the fundamentals of food safety practices, GMP, personal hygiene, personal safety and Regulation R638 awareness in South Africa.

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2 days Classroom duration
14 days Workplace assignment period
2h Workplace assessment
13 NQF level 2 credits
SETA Accredited Food Safety Practices for Persons in Charge of Food Premises Course
Course focus Practical Food Safety and GMP training for persons in charge of food premises, including legal awareness linked to Regulation R638, personal hygiene, personal safety and food handling responsibilities.
Our classroom options

Choose the training format that matches your team, compliance needs and delivery preference

This FS31 training page supports future online self-paced delivery, virtual instructor-led classroom training and physical classroom or onsite company training.

Option 1

Online Self-paced Training

A flexible future option for learners who want a more convenient self-directed route. This option is currently not yet available for direct enrolment.

  • ✓FoodBev SETA Accredited
  • ✓Classroom equivalent learning structure
  • ✓Workplace assignment and assessment requirements apply
  • ✓Status: Coming soon
Enquire About Availability
Option 2

Virtual Classroom Training

Instructor-led training presented online for teams and organisations that want guided structured learning without travelling to a physical venue.

  • ✓FoodBev SETA Accredited
  • ✓Classroom: 2 days
  • ✓Workplace assignment: 14 days
  • ✓Assessment: 2 hours
View Training Dates Contact for Registration
Option 3

Physical Classroom Training

Well suited to food businesses, facilities and teams that need in-house, onsite or project-based classroom delivery for persons in charge.

  • ✓FoodBev SETA Accredited
  • ✓Classroom: 2 days
  • ✓Workplace assignment: 14 days
  • ✓Minimum classroom size may apply
Enquire About Onsite Training
Course overview

Built for legal relevance, practical food handling and recognised workplace learning

This programme is designed for persons in charge of food premises who need practical food safety understanding, GMP awareness and training aligned with the legal framework in South Africa.

Regulation-driven relevance

The course supports training requirements associated with Regulation 10(1)(a) under Regulations R638 for the person in charge of food premises.

Practical operational focus

Learners are introduced to food safety hazards, GMP, hygiene practices, personal safety and the day-to-day responsibilities linked to food handling operations.

Recognised accredited training

The programme is FoodBev SETA accredited and includes structured learning, assessments, workplace assignment requirements and certificate-based competency outcomes.

Course Introduction

This course introduces the fundamentals of Food Safety practices, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Personal Safety to persons in charge of food handling premises. It is highly recommended for learners who are new to the food industry, food premises management responsibilities or the legal requirements relating to Food Safety in South Africa.

  • ✓Useful for food premises leadership and supervision roles
  • ✓Supports Regulation R638 food safety training expectations
  • ✓Includes workplace assignment and workplace assessment components

Who Should Attend?

This course is intended for people who are directly or indirectly responsible for food handling environments, compliance support and food safety oversight.

  • ✓Persons in charge of food premises
  • ✓Supervisors and managers in food manufacturing or processing
  • ✓QA and QC managers
  • ✓HACCP and food safety teams
  • ✓Internal and supplier auditors
  • ✓Business owners and top management

Minimum prerequisites: Communication NQF Level 1 / Grade 9 and Mathematical Literacy ABET Level 3 / Grade 7

Course content

Key topics covered in the FS31 Food Safety training programme

The course outline below reflects the core unit standard themes and practical food safety areas addressed during the programme.

Food safety, GMP and hygiene topics

  • ✓What Food Safety is and why it is important
  • ✓Food safety hazards and corrective procedures
  • ✓Application of Good Manufacturing Practices as part of a Food Safety system
  • ✓Cleaning and sanitising awareness
  • ✓Personal health and hygiene practices
  • ✓Control of pests and waste materials
  • ✓Personal grooming and presentation in a food handling environment

Personal safety and compliance topics

  • ✓Personal safety in a food handling environment
  • ✓Safe work area and equipment practices
  • ✓Safety emergencies
  • ✓Safe storage and handling of raw materials, final products and chemicals
  • ✓Overview of Regulation R638
  • ✓Regular assessments
  • ✓Workplace assignment and workplace assessment
Benefits

What learners and food premises gain from this course

The objective is practical workplace understanding, stronger legal awareness and recognised food safety competency support for persons in charge.

Better understanding of Food Safety responsibilities

Learners should leave with a stronger understanding of the basic Food Safety requirements expected in food premises and food handling environments.

Certificate of competence

The learner receives a certificate of competence after successful completion of the classroom, assignment and assessment requirements.

Useful compliance support

The course certificate may be presented to local authorities as proof of Food Safety training for the person in charge where relevant.

Helpful note: this programme is particularly useful where food premises leadership needs practical recognised training aligned to legal food hygiene expectations in South Africa.
Upcoming dates

Upcoming virtual classroom training events

Bookings well in advance are recommended. If no scheduled public dates are listed, on-demand virtual or physical classroom delivery can still be discussed for teams, companies and projects.

Important: this course is often delivered on demand. Use the enquiry form below for pricing, learner numbers, preferred dates and delivery format requirements.
On-demand training arrangements available
Course enquiry

Need FS31 pricing, registration support or onsite delivery details?

If you need support with FS31 course registration, FoodBev SETA training enquiries, virtual classroom arrangements, onsite delivery, pricing or learner planning, complete the form and ASC will review your request.

Course code FS31 – SETA Accredited Food Safety Training for Persons in Charge of Food Premises
Training formats Virtual instructor-led classroom, physical classroom / onsite delivery, and future self-paced availability subject to course rollout
Useful for Pricing enquiries, group bookings, in-house training requests, learner planning, compliance-related training needs and course option guidance
Accreditation and structure FoodBev SETA Accredited, with classroom learning, workplace assignment and workplace assessment requirements
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Frequently asked questions

Common questions about the FS31 Food Safety training course

Yes. This page is for the FoodBev SETA accredited Food Safety Training for Persons in Charge of Food Premises course.
It is intended for persons in charge of food premises, supervisors, managers, QA or QC managers, HACCP teams, internal auditors and food business leadership roles.
Yes. The course content is aligned to Food Safety legal awareness requirements and is designed to support the training expectations for the person in charge under Regulations R638.
Yes. Learners receive a certificate of competence after successfully completing the classroom component, workplace assignment and workplace assessment requirements.
Yes. Virtual instructor-led and physical classroom or onsite arrangements can be discussed for organisations, projects and team-based training requirements.
Discussion

Questions, feedback and comments

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Recent questions and responses from learners and the ASC team.

Quick summary

SETA accredited food safety training for persons in charge of food premises is a FoodBev SETA accredited course aligned to Regulation R638, introducing the fundamentals of food safety practices, GMP and personal safety and wellbeing. Designed for supervisors, managers and owners of food premises in South Africa, it delivers recognised certification and the supervisory knowledge needed to manage hygiene compliance.

Key facts

  • Accreditation: FoodBev SETA accredited
  • Standard: aligned to Regulation R638
  • Who it's for: persons in charge, supervisors, managers and owners of food premises
  • Covers: food safety fundamentals, GMP, personal safety and wellbeing
  • Delivery: online self-paced, virtual or in-house classroom
  • Areas served: South Africa nationwide, including Gqeberha, Johannesburg and Cape Town

Frequently asked questions

Is the persons in charge course SETA accredited?

Yes. This food safety training for persons in charge of food premises is FoodBev SETA accredited. SETA accreditation means the course meets recognised quality standards and learners receive accredited certification, which is valuable for compliance, supplier and customer requirements, and for businesses seeking skills-development recognition in South Africa.

What does the SETA accredited persons in charge course cover?

Aligned to Regulation R638, the course introduces the fundamentals of food safety practices, good manufacturing practice (GMP) and personal safety and wellbeing for those managing food premises. It prepares the person in charge to supervise food handlers, uphold hygiene standards and meet the legal responsibilities placed on food-premises management.

What is the difference between SETA and HPCSA accreditation for this course?

SETA (FoodBev SETA) accreditation relates to recognised skills-development qualifications and unit standards, while HPCSA accreditation relates to continuing professional development recognised by the Health Professions Council. ASC offers persons-in-charge training under both pathways; choose the SETA accredited version when you need formal skills-development recognition aligned to Regulation R638.

Who should attend SETA accredited persons in charge training?

This course is for the person legally responsible for a food premises, typically supervisors, managers or owners in food manufacturing, catering, retail and hospitality. It suits anyone who must supervise food handlers and ensure the premises complies with Regulation R638 hygiene requirements while holding a recognised SETA accredited certificate.

How is the SETA accredited persons in charge course delivered?

ASC delivers this FoodBev SETA accredited course online self-paced, through live virtual sessions, or in-house at your premises anywhere in South Africa. Contact ASC to confirm the current delivery options, enrolment process and scheduling for the SETA accredited persons-in-charge training that best fits your team.

Does this course meet Regulation R638 requirements for food premises?

The course is aligned to Regulation R638 and is designed to help the person in charge understand and meet their hygiene-supervision duties under that regulation. While responsibility for full compliance rests with the food business, this SETA accredited training provides recognised evidence that the person in charge has been instructed in food safety fundamentals and GMP.

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