The Higher Certificate in Food Control is a qualification awarded by the Environmental Health Registration Board / Chartered Institute of Environmental Health to candidates who have successfully completed all of the following:
- The Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection
- The Food Inspection endorsement
- The Food standards endorsement
Officers holding the Higher Certificate in Food Control are suitably qualified to carry out official controls in food hygiene and food standards as indicated in sections 1.2.9.1, 1.2.9.2.1 and 1.2.9.2.2 of the Food Law Code of Practice.
They are also suitably qualified to inspect, seize and detain food (section 1.2.9.3 of the Food Law Code of Practice) and as such may be authorised to use section 9 of the Food Safety Act 1990.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has approved the Certificate of Higher Education in Food Safety and Food Legislation as an accredited route to the Higher Certificate in Food Control.
Candidates successfully completing the Certificate of Higher Education in Food Safety and Food Legislation will be recognized by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health as having completed the academic element of the Higher Certificate in Food Control.
Candidates wishing to register with the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB) will also need to complete six months structured training within a Local Authority and complete the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health interview.
The Higher Certificate in Food Control course summary
Any Environmental Health Assistant or Technician who wishes to develop their career in Food Premises Inspection must, according to the current Food Standard Agency Code of Practice, be in possession of an Ordinary or Higher Certificate in Food Control awarded by the Environmental Health Registration Board. The Certificate comprises of both a taught element and practical element; the modules for the taught element are as follows:
- Food safety, law & administration
- Food hazards
- Food technology
- Food premises inspection
Once these have been successfully completed, you will be required to pass a professional interview with examiners from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and to complete a logbook of relevant field practice. This normally takes at least one further year.
For information on the practical element of the higher certificate in food control or for any information regarding the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, please visit their website.
Alumni Profile
For course dates and further information please contact
Iain Ferris, I.Ferris@bham.ac.uk.
Lecturer Food Safety & Standards
School of Chemical Engineering
University of Birmingham
B15 9TT
(+44) (0)121 4145336