Certification for Food Safety Person in Charge

Dubai Municipality has published some codes, guidelines and documents with the aim to achieve a world-class food safety system in Dubai. 

Food Code: Dubai Municipality has published some codes, guidelines and documents with the aim to achieve a world-class food safety system in Dubai. Please take some time to review these documents from this link:

Food Code

The Foodwatch Platform: The Food Safety Department of Dubai Municipality developed the Foodwatch platform to facilitate data exchange between authorities, food businesses, service providers and consumers. By utilizing digital monitoring techniques, data analytics and customized applications, the platform will offer full traceability of foods with validated ingredient and nutritional information. Smart contracts, services and customized applications will deliver every user a unique experience based on their requirements. Digitalized exchange of data will enable delivery of real-time assurance based on predictive insight, from what went wrong to what is likely to go wrong.

All food establishments and related service providers must be registered on the Foodwatch platform as per the mandate of Dubai Municipality.

Access more details and free online tutorials on Foodwatch on this link:

https://foodwatch.dm.gov.ae/

We also encourage all our approved trainers and learners to subscribe to the Foodwatch User Videos on YouTube.

Why deliver Person in Charge (PIC) through Highfield?

Highfield is the Middle East's leading supplier of safety/compliance qualifications and training materials. Highfield is committed to delivering on its core values in quality, value, service and integrity. We employ around 20 staff in our Dubai office and obtain most of our products locally. This results in a fast, cost-effective service.

International recognition

Highfield's qualifications are not only recognised in the Middle East, but due to Highfield's international reputation they are recognised by governments, businesses, academic institutions and trainers all around the world. Learners have the opportunity to obtain regulated and international qualifications at the same time as their PIC qualification.

Supporting training resources

In addition to being able to offer recognised and reputable qualifications, you will also be able to use our high-quality learner resources to provide your learners with additional support. Highfield training materials have been used across the globe for over 30 years and represent the highest quality resources available. They have even been used by staff at Buckingham Palace and international governments as well as thousands of enforcement officers and hundred of the largest internationally respected corporate businesses. Over 2 million learners use Highfield materials every year.

PIC Advance candidates can choose to purchase the level 3 food safety e-learning at a discounted price from their training provider or from Highfield directly. This will not only provide additional revision for the candidates (especially candidates who are eligible to sit the assessment directly), but also they can choose to sit the UK regulated Level 3 Food Safety qualification assessment alongside the PIC assessment.

Fast turnaround of results

Providing all paperwork is completed accurately through the Foodwatch platform and Highfield online system, we are able to provide you with results within a maximum of 5 working days.

Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (Middle East) Asia

Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (Middle East) Asia (“HABC MEA”) takes the integrity of all of its qualifications very seriously, and as such, we have a duty to ensure the integrity, impartiality and potential conflict of interest are maintained in our qualifications and certifications schemes.

HABC MEA has designed specifications, policies and procedures to prevent the professional and personal interests of the directors, employees and associates from influencing the performance of their duties in the development, delivery and award of qualifications in accordance with any relevant regulatory criteria.

We have identified and assessed risks which may result in a conflict of interest or pose a threat to impartiality. Any conflict of interest is reported, documented in a Conflict of Interest Register and reviewed by HABC. HABC Policies and Procedures are reviewed on an annual basis and form part of the Director’s annual Statement of Compliance to the appropriate qualifications regulators.

In this way, HABC MEA ensure that all activities undertaken throughout the certification process are conducted in an independent and impartial manner and aim to inspire confidence in its qualifications and certification schemes to its customers and the public at large by:

• The quality and competence of its personnel;
• Offering high standards in our Customer Service;
• Integrity and transparency of processes; and
• Maintaining and protecting confidentiality.

Highfield will conduct the train the trainer program approved by the Food Safety Department, for all the trainers in accordance with ISO 17024 requirements.

Highfield will conduct an initial assessment of the applicant to ensure compliance of trainer requirements (Clause A4-11 of the PIC Scheme document) prior to the train trainer programme. At the conclusion of the Highfield train the trainer event, the trainer shall be able to:

• Plan the delivery of a course by ensuring that all the key elements of effective training are present.
• Learn how to communicate one's message effectively.
• Develop techniques to overcome barriers to learning.
• Gain techniques for providing encouragement and coaching during the training process.
Highfield will assess the trainer at the completion of the program to ensure that the trainer demonstrates the knowledge and skills required for the Person in Charge program.

For further information please contact:

HABC MEA
By telephone: 00 9714 449 4042
By email: PIC@highfieldinternational.com

Our Team will be able to answer your enquiries.

Our Office in Dubai:
HABC MEA
Building no B/P 47
Office Unit no 107
Dubai Healthcare City
Dubai, UAE

Training Materials

1. The trainer shall only use the materials approved by the Certification Body.
2. Where necessary, pre-course materials must be provided to the PIC at the time of registration.

Pre-course assessment of trainees

The training company or trainer shall assess the competency of nominated PIC before conducting training and ensure that the nominated Person In charge meets the requirements of Annex 4 of the food code. All observations shall be notified to the Food Safety Department and Certification body.

Course Plan

1. The trainer shall use the Foodwatch platform to register and manage the trainee information.
2. The trainer shall provide the training course plan and the schedule of training sessions to the Certification body at least one week before the training schedule. The course plan must include.

• Training dates and timings
• Name of the trainer along with the approval reference number
• Details of the venue
• Number of trainees (please follow the new guidelines issues in reference to COVID-19 infection prevention)
• Course language
• Examination time
• Summary of the pre-assessment of the trainees
• and, any other details that may be required for the registration of the trainees.
  1. Any changes in the planned schedule shall be reported to the Food Safety Department and the Certification Body immediately.
  2. The trainer should confirm the language of training and examination dates to the trainees during the registration process.

Training Room

1. Training shall be conducted in rooms that are suitable and solely dedicated for that purpose.
2. Training rooms shall have adequate lighting and ventilation, and the type of seating should be suitable for the trainee’s comfort.
3. The room shall have adequate facilities like AV equipment’s, stationery e.g. paper, pens, highlighters etc.
4. The room shall be as quiet as possible and free from any other activities that could distract trainees. Restaurant dining areas and rooms that have other activities that could distract the trainees should not be used for training.
5. There should be sufficient space between the trainees with a minimum distance of two meter between two Please follow the training guidelines issued in reference to COVID-19 infection prevention measures; these guidelines might be updated by DM and centres must follow these instructions at all times.

Delivery of Training

1. Training providers shall provide the training through trainer-led lecture sessions.
2. The training contact time excluding the breaks shall not be less than the delivery training hours mentioned in the Table 3 of the PIC Certification scheme document.
3. Trainer should consider expanding the number of contact hours when a review of the participants’ reveals learning disabilities, language barriers or other factors which may inhibit learning.

Assessment of Training Program

1. Highfield will observe at least 5 percent of training sessions provided by each trainer in a year based on the criteria provided by Dubai Municipality.
2. Highfield will assess the adequacy of training planning, training delivery, facilities & trainer knowledge and record the results.

Dealing with Non-compliance

• Trainers and Training centres that do not meet the requirements listed in this document will be suspended from providing training without prior notice.
• Unsatisfactory demonstration of knowledge and skill during the training session shall result in the suspension of trainer approval until the formal corrective action will be submitted to the Food Safety Department & Certification body.
• Food Safety Department & Certification bodies shall authorize to discontinue the session immediately in case of any non-compliance including but not limited to unapproved trainer, unsuitable training room, or any other situation not meeting the program requirements.

If you need to verify information about the validity of a certificate awarded by HABC MEA:

Please contact:

Telephone number: 00 9714 449 4042

Or

Email: PIC@highfieldinternational.com

To carry out these checks, we will need the following information, so please be prepared in advance:

• Name of the Candidate
• Company Name
• Certificate Number
• Date of Issue

All food establishments shall employ at least one full-time, on-site Person in Charge Certified in Food Safety. All food service establishments where high-risk, ready-to-eat or raw foods are prepared shall have at least one Person in Charge certified in food safety present in the establishment during all shifts (duration) of food establishment operation.

The Person in Charge shall be responsible for and shall actively oversee all food establishment operations that could have an impact on the safety of the food. Each certified Person in Charge shall possess knowledge of food safety principles and practices as demonstrated by passing a written examination acceptable to the Food Control Department.

The list here provides contact details for approved HABC Centres and approved HABC PIC Trainers. Only approved Centres and Trainers can provide PIC training.

• Registration Form
• Course Evaluation Form
• Complaints Procedure
• Appeals Procedure
• PIC: Rules and Regulations DM-FCD
• HABC PIC Policies Manual
• Food Code
• Competency Requirements