Hospitality businesses across New Zealand can now access free online food safety training, following the recent announcement from Minister for Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard.
The Restaurant Association, alongside Hospitality NZ, local councils, restaurants and cafés from around the country, helped shape the new Introduction to Food Safety module. It’s the first of six modules that will roll out over the coming months.
As an industry, we know finding affordable, practical training can be difficult — especially for smaller operators already managing rising costs and staffing pressures. Having a free, online option makes it easier for hospitality businesses to train new team members, refresh existing staff knowledge, and build consistency across operations without adding another financial burden.
Minister Hoggard acknowledged the changes followed conversations with food businesses around the country, including the series of discussions across the country that we organsed between local operators and the Minister, to help inform what changes they need to be make to the Food Act.
The Minister said that he had found a system that was effective at managing risk, but not always as efficient and user friendly as it could be.
The Restaurant Association has also been involved in providing industry input into the development of the training and the wider programme of food safety improvements. It’s encouraging to see practical feedback from hospitality operators reflected in changes that will make a real difference day-to-day.
Food safety remains a critical part of running a successful hospitality business, but access to training and compliance support also needs to be practical, achievable and fit for purpose.
The free online module is now available through the New Zealand Food Safety website.
More information
Right rules for the right risk: free online food safety training now available – Minister Hoggard announcement
Restaurant Association welcomes red tape reduction for hospitality businesses