Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to package and label prepared foodstuffs for storage and transportation. It requires the ability to check the quality of food and select correct packaging materials.
The unit applies to operational personnel in hospitality and catering organisations that prepare, package and label food. This could include restaurants, educational institutions, health establishments, defence forces, cafeterias, kiosks, cafes, residential caterers, in-flight and other transport caterers, and event and function caterers.
It applies to individuals who work with very little independence and under close supervision. They follow predefined organisational procedures and report any discrepancies to a higher level staff member for action.
Food businesses that produce pre-packaged food items must comply with the legal requirements for labelling contained in the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Select food and packaging materials. | 1.1.Check and select food that meets quality requirements for packaging. 1.2.Refer problems with food quality to a higher level staff member for action. 1.3.Select packaging materials appropriate for specific foods, storage or transport requirements and organisational procedures. |
2. Package and label foods. | 2.1.Package food items using appropriate packaging according to organisational specifications and food safety procedures. 2.2.Label foods according to labelling guidelines and specifications. 2.3.Ensure that food items are not contaminated during packaging process. 2.4.Adhere to food safety environmental requirements for food packaging area. |
3. Complete work process. | 3.1.Restore work area to original condition according to organisational procedures and environmental requirements. 3.2.Identify and report on unsafe or faulty equipment or materials, or rectify according to level of individual responsibility. 3.3.Store surplus food items in appropriate environmental conditions. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
demonstrate procedure to check quality of foodstuffs against quality criteria
appropriately package and label each of the following foodstuffs:
beverages
dairy products
dry goods
frozen goods
fruit and vegetables
meat, poultry or seafood
select and use the following aseptically treated packaging materials for the above foodstuffs:
plastic cling wrap
plastic or foil containers
polystyrene foam
recyclable packaging materials
package foodstuffs within commercial time constraints
maintain packaging work area in line with food safety environmental requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
quality criteria for food to be packaged:
correct portion size
shelf-life
freshness
visual appeal
key contents of labelling guidelines and specifications determined by:
the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
local, state or territory food safety regulations
organisational food safety procedures and labelling specifications for packaging food
meaning as defined by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code of:
contaminant
contaminated food
potentially hazardous foods
environmental requirements for packaging area to avoid food contamination
characteristics and uses of packaging materials specified in the performance evidence
packaging requirements for specific food types specified in the performance evidence
requirements of organisational food safety procedures relating to packaging food.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in an operational commercial kitchen. This can be:
an industry workplace
a simulated industry environment, such as a training kitchen packaging commercial quantities of foodstuffs.
Assessment must ensure access to:
fixtures and large equipment:
commercial grade work benches (1.5m/person)
commercial refrigeration facilities:
cool room and/or fridge
freezer
computers, printers and industry stock control software systems
designated storage areas for dry goods and perishables
lifting and transporting equipment
small equipment:
containers for hot and cold food storage
cutting boards
food handler gloves
measurers:
metric calibrated measuring jugs
measuring spoons
portion control scoops and markers
oven mitts
scales
temperature probes
thermometers
tongs and serving utensils
cleaning materials and equipment:
cleaning cloths
commercial cleaning and sanitising agents and chemicals for cleaning commercial kitchens, equipment and food storage areas
dustpans and brooms
garbage bins and bags
hand towel dispenser and hand towels
mops and buckets
separate hand basin and antiseptic liquid soap dispenser for hand washing
sponges, brushes and scourers
tea towels
organisational specifications:
equipment manufacturer instructions
current commercial label specifications
food safety procedures for packaging food
food safety plan
procedures relating to referring food quality or equipment problems and selecting packaging materials
recording systems
guidelines relating to food disposal, storage and presentation requirements
safety data sheets (SDS) for cleaning agents and chemicals
current Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
industry-realistic ratios of kitchen staff to customers
packaging materials described in the performance evidence
packaging labels
foodstuffs described in the performance evidence in commercial quantities to be packaged.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | read and understand label specifications and organisational food safety procedures for packaging food. |
Writing skills to: | record accurate details on food labels for packaged foods. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate quantities of food items and packaging materials for particular jobs. |
Problem-solving skills to: | maintain environmental conditions to prevent contamination of food packaging area. |
Technology skills to: | use food packaging and labelling equipment. |
Range Statement
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Appropriate packaging must be: | aseptically treated capable of protecting food from damage environmentally appropriate non-contaminating of appropriate dimensions for selected food stackable and transportable visually appropriate to functional need. |
Environmental requirements must include: | checking and ensuring temperature control cleaning and sanitising: packaging area packaging equipment recyclable packaging materials protecting food from contaminants, pests and foreign objects. |
Environmental conditions must ensure appropriate: | atmosphere humidity light packaging temperature use of containers ventilation. |
Sectors
Hospitality
Competency Field
Commercial Cookery and Catering