The Food & Drink Federation & the Institute for Food Science & Technology recently published a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidance Document to help food safety professionals maintain & enhance their individual professional competence & maintain the professional reputation of the food manufacturing industry. The Guidance recommends a minimum of 35 hours CPD/pa & provides direction on recognition of compliance, record keeping, qualifying activities (e.g. participation in seminars, courses & certain meetings) & examples of relevant qualifications. The Guidance can be incorporated into a training & development programme or be used as an aid to help identify, update & improve knowledge of issues & developments on the subject of food safety. A suggested template for an individual's record is included. Whilst there is no legal requirement for food safety professionals to attend formal training courses or obtain a formal qualification, it is the legal requirement of the operator of the food business to ensure that employees are trained to an `appropriate' level.
