Assessor Resource

FDFFS4002A
Supervise and verify supporting programs for food safety

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Food safety is critical to public health and safety and the successful operation of food processing businesses. This unit is suitable for managers, supervisors and team leaders in food processing establishments who are responsible for maintaining the food safety plan, including support programs, in a designated work area.

This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to control hazards that are common across processes in a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP)-based food safety plan by supervising and verifying support programs. It includes the ability to identify food safety hazards and the need for support programs, supervise the implementation of support programs, and verify that support programs are being complied with.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to maintain and implement a HACCP-based food safety plan.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Critical aspects of assessment must include the following:

implement procedures for food safety support programs

communicate the requirements of food safety support programs to workers

demonstrate and provide leadership in safe food handling and hygienic work practices

monitor compliance with food safety support program requirements

complete records and reports related to the implementation of food safety support programs

respond to non-compliances in support programs and take corrective action.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of performance requirements in this unit should be undertaken within the context of food technology. Competency is demonstrated by performance of all stated criteria, including the critical aspects and knowledge and skills elaborated in the Evidence Guide, and within the scope as defined by the Range Statements applicable to the workplace environment.

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

production process and related equipment, manufacturers’ advice and operating procedures

a HACCP-based food safety plan for the food processing enterprise

methods and related software systems, as required, for collecting data, analysing data and compiling into a report.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

a report on the review of support programs for a HACCP-based food safety system

workplace evidence and third-party verification of participation in the maintenance and implementation of support programs for a HACCP-based food safety system

observation of candidate demonstrating work practices and workplace standards to maintain food safety

case studies

field reports.

Guidance information for assessment

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated environments.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

collect, monitor and interpret data to identify trends and non-conformance

communicate with a range of stakeholders, including customers, to convey food safety requirements and programs

demonstrate current technical and process knowledge for the control of hazards and improvement of the food safety system

demonstrate enterprise monitoring procedures (including sampling, testing and required records and documents) and explain their purpose

determine and take corrective action where food safety is potentially compromised

communicate food safety and support program requirements to the team

lead the food safety risk assessment process

apply HACCP principles to the process of developing a food safety plan

communicate the regulatory requirements that apply to the enterprise's food safety plan to the work team

integrate support programs into the enterprise's food safety plan

review operations and practices for food safety improvement

develop enterprise standard operating procedures (SOPs) and communicate their role in the food safety system

lead personnel/team in investigation of food safety incidents and potential incidents

maintain currency of knowledge through independent research or professional development

monitor records and documentation for accuracy and conformance

respond to food safety incidents and implement food recall procedures, as required

review communication systems (spoken and written) to minimise the potential for misreporting and misunderstanding of food safety requirements, procedures and plans

take action to improve own work practice as a result of self-evaluation, feedback from others or in response to changed work practices or technology

use a range of communication and team building strategies to gain team commitment to food safety

implement and monitor procedures from approved supplier, staff health and hygiene, pest control, cleaning and sanitation and chemical use programs

utilise problem-solving strategies required in investigating non-conformance and reviewing the food safety system, including support programs

model safe food handling and quality practices and procedures to demonstrate required work practices and provide leadership, including demonstrating:

work procedures that meet the requirements of quality and food safety

cleaning and sanitising equipment

sampling and testing as appropriate according to quality and food safety requirements

maintaining personal hygiene

wearing appropriate clothing and footwear as required by the work task

following procedure when moving within and between work areas

reporting health conditions and illnesses according to workplace procedures

handling, cleaning and storing equipment, utensils and packaging materials, as appropriate.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

current technical and process knowledge required to participate in investigations of food safety/quality hazards, risks and incidents

common microbiological, physical and chemical hazards to food safety, and related control methods

the way changes in equipment and/or processing methods can affect food safety hazards and level of risk

regulatory requirements relating to approved supplier, staff health and hygiene, pest control, cleaning and sanitation and chemical use programs

objectives of a HACCP-based food safety system

steps in the development of a HACCP-based food safety system

steps in the systematic introduction of a HACCP-based food safety system

enterprise recall and traceability procedures

purpose of the HACCP development and review process

purpose, scope and development of procedures for approved supplier support programs

purpose, scope and development of procedures for staff health and hygiene support programs

purpose, scope and development of procedures for pest control support programs

purpose, scope and development of procedures for cleaning and sanitation support programs

purpose, scope and development of procedures for chemical use and storage support programs

document controls associated with a procedure change

purpose of SOPs and work instructions

process of auditing and verifying support programs in a HACCP-based food safety system

occupational health and safety (OHS), regulatory and workplace requirements.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Food safety program

A food safety program is a written document that specifies ‘...the systematic identification of hazard points, in the production, processing and sale of food and the implementation of risk avoidance, risk minimisation and risk management strategies in respect of these identified hazards.’

(National Food Authority 1994, p17).

The food safety program and related procedures must comply with legal requirements of the Food Safety Standards and must be communicated to all food handlers. Where no food safety program is in place, food safety requirements may be specified in general operating procedures

Control Points

Control points include:

critical, quality and regulatory control points

Food safety support programs

These programs are designed to control hazards that are common across food handling steps and include:

approved supplier

staff health and hygiene

pest control

cleaning and sanitation

storage and use of chemicals

Workplace information

Workplace information may be provided in:

food safety and quality policies and programs

SOPs

Specifications

log sheets

written or verbal instruction incorporating food safety and quality requirements

Incidents

A food safety incident:

is a situation where the safe limits or parameters identified by the food safety program are not met

A quality incident:

is a situation where the quality limits or parameters identified in specifications or processing instructions are not met

Monitoring

Monitoring describes the methods used to confirm that a food safety or quality hazard is in control. Examples of monitoring procedures include:

taking temperatures

collecting samples

conducting visual inspections

testing, as required

Responsibility for identifying breaches of food safety procedures

Responsibility for identifying breaches of food safety procedures and taking corrective action:

occurs in the context of the food safety program and within scope of responsibility

Responsibility for identifying non-compliance against quality standards

Responsibility for identifying non-compliance against quality standards:

occurs within the context of defined standards or specifications and relates to work area

Personal hygiene requirements

Minimum personal hygiene requirements are specified by the food safety program. At a minimum this must meet legal requirements as set out in the Food Safety Standard 3.2.2, Division 4:14 and/or state/territory legislation/regulations

Reporting of health conditions and illnesses

Reporting of health conditions and illnesses requirements are specified by the food safety program. At a minimum this must meet legal requirements as set out in Food Safety Standard 3.2.2, Division 4:13 and/or state/territory legislation/regulations

Operator responsibilities

The operator at this level may have direct responsibility for overseeing the training/development of team members.

The operator at this level may have some responsibility for independently assessing risks and determining the effectiveness of control measures. They would be expected to observe day-to-day effectiveness of the food safety plan and participate in assessment and review processes. Responsibilities at this level may include facilitating consultation processes

Record keeping

Record keeping complies with customer, legal and food safety program requirements

Verification

Verification refers to reviewing all aspects of the food safety program and related records to determine compliance with and adequacy of the food safety program. At a minimum, food safety programs must be verified annually

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
A full description of the product is drawn up 
The intended use and client group for the product is identified 
All steps in the operation are included from primary production, processing, manufacture and distribution to the consumer 
Hazards are identified that can reasonably be expected to occur at each step 
Hazard areas that are common to multiple steps in the operation are identified 
The need for support programs to control identified hazard areas is defined 
The scope of the health and hygiene program is defined 
Microbiological, physical and chemical hazards associated with supplied unprocessed foods and packaging materials are identified and risk controls and work procedures developed 
Microbiological, physical and chemical hazards associated with staff handling unpackaged food are identified and risk controls and work procedures developed 
Microbiological and physical hazards arising from pest infestations are identified and risk controls and work procedures developed 
Microbiological, physical and chemical hazards associated with using the premises and the equipment in them are identified and risk controls and work procedures developed 
Chemical hazards associated with the use of cleaning chemicals are identified and risk controls and work procedures developed 
Work performance is defined and critical limits established, where appropriate, for support programs 
Food safety support program requirements, including regulatory requirements, are explained to the team 
Team commitment to, and responsibility for, food safety support programs is developed 
Induction, training and mentoring is provided to the team to assist implementation of food safety support programs 
Support program requirements and procedures are communicated to management and staff through documented procedures, directions and signage 
Personal behaviour, including hygiene, housekeeping and use of clothing and equipment, is monitored and corrected, where necessary 
Critical control points are monitored to confirm performance 
Records are checked for completion and accuracy 
Problem areas are analysed using appropriate quality improvement tools and techniques 
Processes or conditions which could result in breaches of food safety procedures are identified and preventive or corrective action is taken 
Compliance of the food processing operation for support programs is verified by workplace observation and analysis of records, supported by product testing, if required 
Causes of non-conformance are identified and analysed 
Non-conformance is reported according to enterprise requirements 
Corrective action and control procedures are updated to improve food safety 
Required amendments to the HACCP plan are documented 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FDFFS4002A - Supervise and verify supporting programs for food safety
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

FDFFS4002A - Supervise and verify supporting programs for food safety

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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