Food Safety

Maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene is essential in aged residential care, where residents are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness. Evidence shows that many outbreaks in care settings are linked to unsafe food handling and poor hygiene practices.

This course equips aged care workers in Aotearoa New Zealand with the knowledge and practical skills to safely prepare, handle, and store kai (food) in accordance with regulatory requirements, organisational policies, and recognised best practice. It emphasises person-centred, culturally safe care, ensuring food services respect individual preferences, dietary needs, cultural practices, and tikanga where appropriate.

Learners will explore the principles of food safety, understand their responsibilities in protecting the hauora (health and wellbeing) of residents, and identify common food safety hazards in aged care environments. The course content supports compliance with:

Ngā Paerewa Standard 1.1 – Pae Ora / Person-centred care: providing care that upholds dignity, choice, and cultural safety.

Ngā Paerewa Standard 5.2 – Food, Nutrition, and Hydration: ensuring nutritious, safe food services that meet dietary and cultural needs.

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Food Act 2014 obligations related to safe food handling and risk management.

Aligned with New Zealand food safety legislation, Ngā Paerewa, and organisational food and nutrition policies, this course supports providers to deliver safe, high-quality care for all residents.