How often should food safety training be conducted for staff?

Conducting food safety training at least once a year is essential to ensure that all staff remain knowledgeable about the latest food safety practices, regulations, and procedures. This frequency helps reinforce critical information, address any emerging food safety concerns, and provides staff with opportunities to refresh their skills and knowledge on current best practices. Annual training also allows for updates to be shared regarding new local health regulations or advancements in food safety technologies.

Regular training minimizes the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensures compliance with health standards. In contrast, training only when new staff are hired would not account for staff turnover and could leave existing employees without updated knowledge. Training every week may be excessive and impractical for most operations, while holding training every six months may not provide enough frequency to maintain high standards consistently. Thus, an annual training schedule strikes an appropriate balance, ensuring that staff stay informed and proficient in food safety practices.