Food Hygiene Audits, Training & Resources
Clean premises, healthy food handlers and proper sanitation are the foundation of every safe food business. ASC helps South African food businesses get hygiene right — through independent hygiene audits & certification, practical online and virtual hygiene training, and expert guidance on R638 and food premises compliance.
What is food hygiene?
Food hygiene is everything a business does to keep food safe to eat — from the cleanliness of the premises and equipment to the health and habits of the people who handle food.
In South Africa, the general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters are set out in Regulation R638 of 2018 under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 54 of 1972 — including the Certificate of Acceptability (COA) every food premises must hold. Good hygiene is what keeps customers safe, passes inspections, and protects your brand.
In plain English: hygiene is the daily discipline — clean, control, and check — that stops food from making people sick. It is the foundation every food safety system is built on.
🏢 Premises & structure
Clean, well-maintained buildings, surfaces, equipment, water, waste and pest control — the environment food is prepared in.
🤹 Personal hygiene
Healthy, trained food handlers with correct handwashing, protective clothing, and good habits that prevent contamination.
🧼 Cleaning & sanitation
Effective cleaning, sanitising and disinfection programmes, verified and recorded, to control microbial and allergen risks.
Our food hygiene services
From independent audits to expert consulting, ASC helps you prove and improve hygiene across your operation.
Food Hygiene Audits & Certification
Independent hygiene audits of your premises against food safety and R638 requirements, with a clear rating, findings and a certificate you can show authorities, retailers and customers.
Explore hygiene audits →Hygiene & Food Handler Training
Practical online and virtual training that turns hygiene rules into daily habits — food handlers, GMP, hygiene awareness and persons in charge of food premises.
See hygiene courses →Public Health & Premises Consulting
Guidance on Certificate of Acceptability, premises design, environmental health and compliance so your food business meets its legal hygiene obligations.
Public health consulting →Already certified? View the ASC certified hygiene audits client database →
Hygiene training courses for food handlers & teams
Every course below is available online (self-paced) and as virtual instructor-led training, with in-person options on request. Many are SETA accredited.
Food Safety for Food Handlers
Core food safety and hygiene for anyone who handles food.
View course →GMP for Food Handlers
Good Manufacturing Practices and hygiene on the factory floor.
View course →Basic Food Safety & Hygiene Awareness
An accessible introduction to hygiene for all staff.
View course →Persons in Charge of Food Premises
Hygiene management and R638 duties for supervisors and managers.
View course →Basic Food Safety Practices for Food Handlers
Everyday safe-food and hygiene practices for frontline staff.
View course →Basic Food Safety, GMP & Food Hygiene
A combined programme covering hygiene, GMP and food safety essentials.
View course →Training a whole team? Talk to ASC about group and on-site hygiene training →
R638: general hygiene requirements for food premises
Every food business in South Africa must meet the general hygiene requirements of R638 of 2018 and hold a valid Certificate of Acceptability. Understand exactly what R638 expects — and how to comply.
Food hygiene articles & resources
Expert guidance from the ASC team — from cleaning and disinfection to hygiene audits, food handler training and food premises compliance.
Food Hygiene Audits in South Africa: The Complete Guide
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The Importance of Hygiene Audits for Food Safety
Read article →Food Hygiene Audit Process & Rating System for Certification
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10 Tips to Prepare for a Hygiene Audit
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Top 10 Common Hygiene Audit Findings & How to Fix Them
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The Benefits of Hygiene Audits in Company Canteens
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Sanitising, Disinfection & Sterilisation: What’s the Difference?
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The Top 10 Benefits of Training Food Handlers on Hygiene
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R638: General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises
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7 Pests to Ban From Your Food Premises
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Food Hygiene in SA: ASC on SABC News
Watch & read →
How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19
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Health Education in Combating COVID-19
Read article →Why choose ASC for food hygiene?
ASC combines auditing, training and consulting under one roof — so your hygiene programme is consistent from the audit report to the training room.
Real audit experience
Our guidance comes from auditing real food premises against hygiene and R638 requirements.
Accredited training
SETA-accredited, practical courses delivered online, virtually or on your premises.
South African focus
Built around South African legislation, inspectors’ expectations and local food businesses.
Food hygiene readiness checklist
A quick self-assessment to see how ready your premises is for a hygiene audit or inspection.
Hygiene self-check
Tick what you already have in place. Unticked items are where ASC can help.
Food hygiene frequently asked questions
What is food hygiene?
What is a food hygiene audit and why do I need one?
Do you offer hygiene training online or virtually?
What is R638 and the Certificate of Acceptability?
Can ASC help my business become compliant?
Audit it. Train your team. Keep it clean.
Whether you need an independent hygiene audit, accredited food handler training, or help with R638 and your Certificate of Acceptability — ASC has you covered.