Food Safety Compliance Training Online
The QA manager position in a food company is a comprehensive and knowledge-intensive job. The role of a QA manager demands a constant, expert balance between critical compliance mandates and the practical realities of production. This position requires more than just a deep understanding of food safety principles; it demands the ability to implement them effectively and consistently across all departments.
The complex role of QA manager involves navigating several key challenges that demand constant attention:
✅ Staying up to date with the latest, ever-changing legislation and quality standards.
✅ Ensuring the HACCP study is known and understood throughout the company, and that control measures are followed up daily.
✅ Managing frequent recipe changes, which immediately create new ingredient declarations and the critical task of ensuring 100% correct product labels.
Our Food Safety Compliance Training for QA managers reinforces the fundamentals, providing the foundation you need to master the complex function of a QA manager. We approach this from a unique management perspective, preparing you for both current and future challenges.
The training provides essential tools and frameworks structured to answer the central question every QA manager faces: How can I set up my company to ensure all legal requirements and quality standards are met in real-time?
Schedule Training
2 Days from 10:00 to 12:00 CET and 13:00 to 15:00 CET.
Module 1
HACCP and Legislation
In this module, you will move from theory to practical application. We will use a case study to explore the critical relationship between basic conditions, control measures, and the HACCP study for both raw materials and processes.
• Master how to prepare a comprehensive and effective hazard analysis.
• Gain a complete overview of all relevant food legislation impacting your operations.
Module 2
Labelling and Specification Management
Building on practical examples, this module provides a deep dive into the legislative requirements for labelling. You will use the iMIS Food recipe module to see how legally correct labelling information is generated.
• Learn to confidently draw up detailed product specifications.
• Practice accounting for complex variables, including specific customer requirements and microbiological standards.
Module 3
Quality standards and cross tables, including FSSC22000, BRC and IFS
Most food companies are certified, but managing these standards is a challenge. This module draws from our team's experience in over 1,000 audits to give you expert, real-world insights.
• Analyze the key differences and similarities between FSSC22000, BRC, and IFS.
• Learn how to set up your quality system, documentation, and compliance processes to demonstrably succeed during an audit.
• Gain proven strategies for handling difficult audit situations.
• Receive a framework to expand your system to include ISO9001, ISO14001, and the CSR performance ladder.
Module 4
Internal audits and annual QA reports
First, we will explore the core principles of auditing, moving from the "why" to quality management theory. We then apply this knowledge in a practical business case. The module then shifts to focus on the essential reports every QA manager must produce.
• Test your skills by conducting an internal audit on a business case and reporting your findings.
• Master the requirements for all key annual reports: the verification report, management review, Food Defense and Fraud reports, and stakeholder analysis.
Module 5
Workshop: Real-time Food Safety Compliance
The final module is a capstone workshop where you apply everything you have learned. Working with a detailed case study, you will develop a strategic plan to elevate food safety compliance.
• Map the current compliance status of a real-world case.
• Synthesize all topics from Modules 1-4 to build a comprehensive, long-term (three-year) improvement plan.
Training Curriculum Overview
| Module | Title | Topics & Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | HACCP & Legislation | • Prepare a comprehensive hazard analysis. • Understand the link between HACCP and basic conditions. • Gain a full overview of current food legislation. |
| Module 2 | Labelling & Spec Management | • Apply legislative labelling requirements. • Use iMIS Food for label generation. • Create detailed product specifications (microbiological, customer). |
| Module 3 | Quality Standards (BRC, IFS, FSSC) |
• Compare FSSC22000, BRC, and IFS. • Learn audit-passing strategies (from 1000+ audits). • Handle difficult audit situations. • Expand to ISO9001/14001/CSR. |
| Module 4 | Internal Audits & Annual Reports | • Apply internal audit principles in a business case. • Master all key annual reports (Verification, Management Review). • Cover Food Defense, Fraud, and Stakeholder analysis. |
| Module 5 | Workshop: Real-time Compliance | • Conduct a hands-on case study. • Map current compliance status. • Develop a 3-year strategic compliance plan. |
The QAssurance Teachers
Ir. Cees van Elst
Ir. Cornelis (Cees) van Elst is a leading expert and international speaker with over 30 years of experience in food safety. He specializes in developing "learning organizations" focused on Food Safety Compliance.
His academic background from the Technical University Eindhoven (TUE) provided a strong foundation in both IT and quality management. The unique combination of skills led him to identify the vast potential for automating food safety systems during his career at Unilever.
BSc. Martina Stanzione
Martina holds a BSc in Food Technology and is currently deepening her specialism by pursuing an MSc in Food Safety at the renowned Wageningen University and Research (WUR).
She began her career at QAssurance as an intern and has since grown to become an integral member of the team, applying her strong technical knowledge to support our food safety solutions and training programs.
Sign up for the training
Training Information
2025, December 10 and 11
Costs: €1.150,- per person (more colleagues 50%)
- Training day: 10:00-12:00 CET and 13:00-15:00 CET
- Language: English
- Location: Online via Zoom
- Access to iMIS Food Training for 2 months
- Access to the iMIS Food Helpdesk for 2 months
Register Now for Food Safety Compliance Online Training
Send an e-mail to info@qassurance.com or fill in the contact form for more information and to apply for the course.
Do you still hesitate to participate in this training?
We will be happy to discuss with you whether this training is suitable for you. It is also always possible to provide an in-company training or to adapt the program for a large group.