Food safety auditors inspect food processing plants, commercial slaughterhouses, and other food manufacturing businesses to ensure safety and sanitation regulations are upheld. They work for private companies and government agencies.
What does a food auditor do?
Food auditors are professionals who:
Utilize food safety knowledge and training to objectively analyze and assess food safety, sanitation, and security measures at client locations primarily restaurants and grocery stores
Where do food safety auditors work?
Food safety auditors inspect food processing plants, commercial slaughterhouses, and other food manufacturing businesses to ensure safety and sanitation regulations are upheld. They work for private companies and government agencies.
What is food safety system?
Food safety management systems the processes and procedures that companies set up to prevent contamination are essential in reducing the risk of foodborne illness and ensuring the safest products possible. Even with the right safety guidelines, however, contamination or exposure to food hazards can still occur.
Career Requirements to Become A Food Safety Auditor South Africa
Food safety auditors have bachelor’s degrees in food science or a related field. They have strong communication, analytic, and decision-making skills, along with the ability to work with databases and scientific software. According to the S.A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for all food scientists and technologists was R 961869.04
CAREER REQUIREMENT
| Degree Required | Associate’s degree; bachelor’s may be preferred |
| Education Field of Study | Food or agricultural science, biology, chemistry |
| Certification or Licensure | Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Food Safety Certification available |
| Training Required | On-the-job training |
| Key Skills | Active listening, critical thinking, speaking, attention to detail |
| Job Growth (2018-2028) | 6% (for all agricultural and food science technicians)* |
| Median Salary (2018) | R 601867.82(for all agricultural and food science technicians)* |
What Training Do I Need For This Role?
Upon graduation, you can take a third-party certification, which covers the globally used HACCP safety guidance. These programs are recognized by the GFSI or ANSI (American National Standards Institute), along with food retailers and organizations worldwide.
There are a range of courses in the S.A which embed these set standards and regulations, which can then lead to a role as a food safety auditor. On-the-job training in this role may cover areas such as food production techniques along with food hygiene and sanitation procedures.
Steps to Be a Food Safety Auditor
Step 1: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree helps maximize an aspiring food safety auditor’s job prospects. Many universities offer degree programs in food science, which prepare students for careers in food safety. Some employers will hire food safety auditors with degrees in other majors, though the employers prefer majors to be science-related.
It’s a good idea to complete an internship while you’re in school. Completing an internship offers students work experience that is useful when applying for a first job.
Step 2: Get an Entry-Level Job
After completing a bachelor’s degree, new graduates should look for jobs in the food safety industry. The federal government hires entry-level food safety auditors, as do some private firms. If you can’t find a job as a safety auditor right away, seek work in food manufacturing, since this experience leads to work as a safety auditor.
Be sure to learn the industry standards. New food scientists should take the time to learn various manufacturing and safety standards during their employment. Some employers provide on-site training.
Step 3: Obtain Professional Certification for Career Advancement
Certification programs pertinent to food safety auditors include certification in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and the Institute of Food Technologists’ Certified Food Scientist (CFS) credential. Qualifications for both programs include passing a certification exam and supplying evidence of work experience. Those applying for a CFS credential must have bachelor’s degrees at the minimum.
Below is How to Become A Food Safety Auditor South Africa
Step 1: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
Step 2: Get an Entry-Level Job
Step 3: Obtain Professional Certification for Career Advancement
What are the requirements to become a food safety auditor In South Africa?
Food safety auditors have bachelor’s degrees, though some positions are open to those with high school diplomas and many years of experience in food processing or manufacturing. Optional certifications are sought by potential employers.
How long does it take to become a food safety auditor In South Africa?
It can take up to two or three years for an auditor to become trained properly in a field.
How do you become a certified food safety professional In South Africa?
an Associate’s degree and four (4) years of progressive experience in food-related work, and a valid, unexpired Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) certificate, Food Safety Managers Certification Examination (FSMCE) certificate, SuperSafe Mark Exam certificate, OR a ServSafe certificate;
How do you become a SQF auditor?
In order to serve as an auditor for SQFI, individuals must complete three vocational and safety courses, hold SQF certification, have at least 160 hours of relevant work experience as an auditor, and have at least five years of experience in the general food industry.
Is the food safety manager exam hard In South Africa?
Exams are stressful, and the pressure of passing may leave you feeling overwhelmed and nervous that you won’t pass, even if you’ve studied and paid attention to the course. Keep in mind that food safety is largely common sense, and it’s easy to pass if you’ve been paying attention to the course material.
What is a certified food safety manager In South Africa?
Certified Food Managers are an essential part of a food safety culture that keeps your customers safe from foodborne illnesses. The Food Safety Manager Certification Examination (FSMCE) is accredited under exam standards set by the Conference of Food Protection (CFP).
How much do food safety managers make In South Africa?
A mid-career Food Safety Manager with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R 1119480.04 based on 5 salaries. An experienced Food Safety Manager with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R1325700.05based on 7 salaries.
How do you become an auditor in the food industry In South Africa?
Auditors must have a degree in food related or bio-science discipline or, as a minimum, successfully completed a food related or bio-science higher education course or equivalent. Minimum 5 years of experience within the food industry at the level of Manager Operations or Quality Assurance is required.