HPCSA Accredited Basic Food Safety Training for Food Handlers (FS02)
This HPCSA accredited Food Safety training for food handlers introduces the fundamentals of Food Safety practices, hygiene standards, GMP awareness, contamination prevention and legal food handling requirements in South Africa.
Choose the training format that matches your learner needs, budget and preferred delivery method
This FS02 training page supports online self-paced learning, virtual instructor-led classroom training and physical classroom or onsite company training for food handlers.
Online Self-paced Training
A flexible and budget-friendly learning option that allows learners to start at any time, work at their own pace and receive access to their certificate immediately after successful completion.
- ✓HPCSA Accredited
- ✓Duration: 8 hours
- ✓Start any time and finish at your own pace
- ✓Certificate available immediately after completion
Virtual Classroom Training
Instructor-led training delivered online for learners, teams and organisations that want live guidance, interaction and structured learning through a virtual classroom environment.
- ✓HPCSA Accredited
- ✓Duration: 1 day
- ✓Presented via Zoom
- ✓Ideal for guided learner support
Physical Classroom Training
Ideal for companies and food businesses needing onsite or in-house training for groups of food handlers, subject to minimum classroom size requirements.
- ✓HPCSA Accredited
- ✓Duration: 1 day
- ✓Onsite or in-house delivery available
- ✓Minimum classroom size may apply
Built for practical hygiene awareness, safer handling practices and legal relevance
This programme is designed for food handlers who need basic practical Food Safety awareness, GMP understanding and alignment with legal hygiene expectations in South Africa.
Regulation-linked training
The course supports training expectations associated with Regulation 10(1)(b) under Regulations R638 for food handlers working in food premises.
Practical workplace relevance
Learners are introduced to Food Safety hazards, GMP, temperature control, hygiene, contamination prevention, sanitation, waste handling and food handling responsibilities.
Recognised accredited learning
The programme is HPCSA accredited and is suited to learners new to the food industry or those needing a recognised introduction to basic Food Safety practices.
Course Introduction
This course introduces the fundamentals of Food Safety practices and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to food handlers. It is highly recommended for learners who are new to the food industry or who need a stronger basic understanding of the legal and practical requirements relating to Food Safety.
- ✓Designed specifically for food handlers
- ✓Supports Regulation R638 training requirements
- ✓Introduces basic legal and practical Food Safety principles
Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for food handlers who are not in key positions and who need a clear practical introduction to Food Safety requirements in food premises.
- ✓All food handlers not in key positions
- ✓New learners entering food handling environments
- ✓Learners who have never attended Food Safety training
Minimum prerequisites: None
Key topics covered in the FS02 basic Food Safety training programme
The course outline below reflects the key practical food handling, hygiene, GMP and legal awareness areas covered during the programme.
Food safety, hygiene and GMP topics
- ✓Introduction to Food Safety, Food Quality and Food Safety hazards
- ✓Temperature control and management
- ✓Introduction to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- ✓Basic steps to prevent cross-contamination
- ✓Maintenance of equipment
- ✓Pest control
- ✓Waste control
- ✓Cleaning and sanitising
- ✓Requirements for food storage containers and packaging materials
Personal hygiene, legislation and overview topics
- ✓Personal hygiene, grooming, health, behaviour and clothing requirements
- ✓South African legislation
- ✓Conforming and non-conforming status indicators on products
- ✓Brief overview of HACCP
- ✓Brief overview of Food Defence
- ✓Brief overview of Food Fraud
- ✓Brief overview of traceability and recall
- ✓Regular assessments
What learners and food businesses gain from this course
The objective is practical understanding, safer food handling behaviour and recognised introductory Food Safety training for food handlers.
Better understanding of basic Food Safety requirements
Learners should leave with a better understanding of the practical Food Safety requirements expected in food handling and food premises environments.
Certificate of achievement
The learner receives a certificate of achievement after successful completion. A course pass rate of 70% is required to receive the course certificate.
Useful legal and workplace proof of training
The course certificate can be presented to local authorities as proof of Food Safety training for food handlers where relevant.
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 arranged for businesses, groups and projects.
Time: 09:00 am to 04:30 pm (Timezone UTC/GMT +2 hours)
Need FS02 pricing, registration support or onsite delivery details?
If you need support with FS02 course registration, HPCSA accredited training enquiries, virtual classroom arrangements, onsite delivery, pricing or learner planning, complete the form and ASC will review your request.
Common questions about the FS02 Food Safety training course
Explore more basic Food Safety and GMP related training courses
These related training pages help visitors continue through the broader ASC food safety training pathway.
HPCSA Accredited Food Safety Training for Persons in Charge of Food Premises (FS01)
SETA Accredited Food Safety Training for Persons in Charge of Food Premises (FS31)
HPCSA Accredited Food Safety Training for Spaza Shops, Vendors and Informal Traders (FS28)
HPCSA Accredited Implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Course (FS33)
HPCSA-accredited Basic Food Safety training for food handlers teaches the essential food safety practices, hygiene standards, GMP awareness and contamination prevention needed in food handling environments. Designed for food handlers across South Africa, it equips frontline staff to handle food safely and support compliance. Delivered by ASC Food Safety Consultants.
Key facts
- Accreditation: HPCSA accredited course
- Who it's for: Food handlers and frontline food handling staff
- Covers: Basic food safety practices, hygiene standards, GMP awareness and contamination prevention
- Certificate: Certificate of completion from ASC Food Safety Consultants
- Level: Basic / introductory
- Areas served: South Africa nationwide, with offices in Gqeberha, Johannesburg and Cape Town
Frequently asked questions
What does food handlers training cover?
This basic course covers essential food safety practices, hygiene standards, GMP awareness and contamination prevention for food handling environments. Food handlers learn personal hygiene, safe food handling and storage, cross-contamination control and the basics of keeping food safe. It is designed to give frontline staff in South Africa the foundational knowledge they need to do their jobs safely.
Is ASC's food handlers training HPCSA accredited?
Yes. This Basic Food Safety training for food handlers is HPCSA accredited and delivered by ASC Food Safety Consultants. HPCSA accreditation reflects recognition of the course content and standard, and learners receive a certificate of completion that supports your business's training and compliance records. Contact ASC for any accreditation details you need.
Why do food handlers need food safety training in South Africa?
Food handlers directly affect food safety, so training them in hygiene and safe handling reduces contamination and illness risk and supports compliance. South African food premises are expected to ensure food handlers are trained and supervised in line with hygiene requirements such as Regulation R638. Trained handlers are also fundamental to any HACCP or food safety management system working in practice.
How long is the food handlers training course?
Course duration varies by format and depth of the food handler programme. ASC Food Safety Consultants can confirm the current length and schedule when you enquire or book. The course is pitched at a basic level so frontline staff can complete it efficiently and apply the food safety practices immediately in their food handling environment.
How much does food handlers training cost in South Africa?
ASC Food Safety training is competitively priced, with the broad training range starting from around R420 depending on the course. For an exact price on this food handlers course, including group and in-house options, request a quote from ASC Food Safety Consultants. Pricing can vary with delivery format and the number of learners.
Do food handlers get a certificate after completing the training?
Yes. Food handlers who complete the course receive a certificate of completion from ASC Food Safety Consultants. Because the course is HPCSA accredited, the certificate supports your staff competence records and demonstrates that handlers have been trained in basic food safety, which is useful for audits and inspections. Contact ASC to enrol your team.
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