Food Safety and Quality Assurance - Food Processing

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Courses - January 2026

Level 1

Course details

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Principles of Food Safety and Quality Assurance
FOOD8020

Description: This course will introduce the student to food safety hazards, their negative impact on the food industry and the benefits of developing strong food safety control programs to assure safe food production. This course provides in-depth coverage of the fundamental concepts of food safety, Preventive Control Plans (PCP) and how they assist in controlling the likelihood of introducing food safety hazards to the food product through the work environment and operational practices. Students will be introduced to the knowledge and skills required to enable them to establish and implement PCP. This course will provide a strong foundation for the later studies in hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), and other globally recognized food safety management systems. This course provides in-depth coverage of food safety according to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), Codex Alimentarius Basic Texts (WHO) and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Students will be introduced to the resources necessary to enable them to customize Preventive Control Plans (PCP) to meet industry specific requirements and regulations and industry best practices. The learner will be introduced to the skills required to identify, document and communicate food safety responsibilities for different job categories and the need for involvement and interactions between departments in a food organization (i.e. production management, maintenance, engineering, sanitation, product development, quality control, marketing, sales, production employees).

Hours: 70
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:
Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Food Chemistry
FOOD8031

Food Microbiology
FOOD8046

Canadian and International Food Safety Law and Regulations
FOOD8076

Cleaning and Sanitation
FOOD8160

Level 2

Course details

Quality Assurance Management Systems
FOOD8056

Hazard Analysis and Preventative Control Plans
FOOD8080

Applied Food Safety Management Systems
FOOD8090

Good Agricultural Practices
FOOD8101

Food Safety Applications in the Processing Environment
FOOD8110

Introduction to Project Management
MGMT8551

Please note:

Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs are based on the most recent available data through the Conestoga Campus Store.

Program outcomes

Apply scientific concepts of chemistry and microbiology to the development, monitoring and maintenance of food safety and quality assurance systems specific to the food processing industry.
Evaluate the effectiveness of practical applications of food safety and quality assurance system elements in a real food manufacturing environment, across the logistics chain from the farm to the consumer.
Analyze law and regulations applicable to food processing from the perspective of food safety and quality assurance and their effects on operational activities in a food manufacturing facility.
Create and modify food safety and quality assurance system components such as policies, procedures, and instructions, based on scientific principles and in line with pertinent regulations and laws, using clear communication and appropriate terminology.
Recommend means to mitigate and control risks through cleaning and sanitation, traceability, HACCP, Good Manufacturing and Good Agricultural Practices, and other quality assurance and food safety elements based upon food safety risk assessments of food manufacturing activities.
Recommend changes to processes and procedures by employing food safety and quality system audit tools that inform compliance of food processing operations to laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Collect, prepare and test food and environmental samples using appropriate laboratory techniques.
Analyze, interpret and report on the results of sampling programs and studies relative to food safety and quality assurance processes to draw conclusions and make recommendations that align with regulations and established industry practices.