When should food safety training be conducted for new employees?

Food safety training should be conducted before new employees start handling food because this ensures they have the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain safe food handling practices right from the beginning of their employment. Early training helps prevent foodborne illnesses and ensures compliance with health regulations. It is essential for new staff to understand fundamental concepts such as proper hygiene, cross-contamination, temperature control, and safe food storage as soon as they begin to work with food.

Conducting training at this stage helps create a safety culture in the workplace and reinforces the importance of food safety, which ultimately protects both customers and the establishment's reputation. This proactive approach minimizes risks associated with improper food handling that could occur if training is delayed until after they begin their duties or only occurs upon request.