- Publication date:
HACCP training: who needs to take it and how can you prepare for it?
HACCP training has become an essential step for any food service professional who wants to ensure food safety for their customers.
It provides an understanding of risk control principles, helps meet legal requirements, and prevents costly mistakes during inspections.
In this article, find out who needs to take the training, what it covers, how much it costs, and how to put it into practice effectively for controlled hygiene on a daily basis.
The info in 3 points
- Legal requirement: at least one person trained in HACCP per commercial catering establishment (Decree No. 2011-731 of June 24, 2011).
- Duration and cost: 14-hour training course over two days, between €150 and €400, often eligible for funding through the CPF or an OPCO.
- Day-to-day application: theory alone is not enough; a digital tool such as ePackPro helps to monitor and prove HACCP compliance on an ongoing basis.
HACCP training: mandatory or simply recommended?
Since Decree No. 2011-731 of June 24, 2011, HACCP training has been mandatory for commercial catering establishments.
This includes:
- Traditional and fast food restaurants;
- Food trucks and caterers;
- Hotel restaurants;
- Canteens and collective catering services.
Each establishment must be able to prove that at least one member of staff has completed recognized HACCP training. In the event of non-compliance, the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP) may issue a formal notice or impose a fine.
In food-related professions not subject to direct requirements (bakeries, pastry shops, butchers, ice cream shops, etc.), training is still strongly recommended.
It is an asset in limiting the risk of contamination and enhancing the professionalism of the establishment.
What does HACCP training cover?
A complete training course lasts an average of 14 hours, spread over two days, either in person or remotely.
The content is based on the seven fundamental principles of the HACCP system:
- Identify hazards.
- Determine critical control points.
- Set limits for each critical point.
- Implement monitoring procedures.
- Define corrective actions.
- Verify the effectiveness of the system.
- Compile records and evidence of monitoring.
Participants also learn how to develop a health control plan (HCP), manage the cold chain, disinfection, traceability, and non-compliance.
The average cost varies between €150 and €400, depending on the organization, format, and available funding (OPCO, FAF, CPF).
Who can provide HACCP training?
Only organizations approved by the DDPP or DDETSPP can provide recognized training.
Chambers of trade, CCIs, and certain private centers are authorized.
Before registering, it is essential to check the trainer’s accreditation number.
The HACCP certificate has no expiry date, but it is advisable to update it every 3 to 5 years, particularly in the event of regulatory changes or changes in activity.
How to prepare for HACCP training?
To make the most of the training, it is useful to prepare in advance:
- Observe hygiene practices at your establishment and identify areas for improvement.
- Review the main points of the European Hygiene Package to better understand the legal requirements.
- Gather existing documents (traceability sheets, temperature readings, cleaning records).
Once the training is complete, the biggest challenge is to maintain good practices over time. This is often when digital tools become indispensable for simplifying monitoring.
Comprehensive support, including free HACCP training with ePackPro
Because implementing the HACCP method cannot be improvised, ePackPro also supports its users from the training phase onwards.
In addition to digital monitoring, the brand offers free HACCP training, accessible to all customers of the solution.
This online session allows users to review the regulatory basics, the 7 HACCP principles, and the requirements of the Hygiene Package, while discovering how to apply them directly in ePackPro.
This approach has two advantages:
- it strengthens teams’ knowledge at no additional cost,
- it facilitates immediate implementation thanks to the digital platform.
Users therefore benefit from free, practical HACCP training that is fully aligned with the requirements of the health authorities.
Put HACCP into practice every day with ePackPro
Applying the HACCP method on a daily basis requires rigor and consistency. Without assistance, paper records get lost, readings are forgotten, and checks become tedious.
The ePackPro solution meets this need by digitizing HACCP monitoring.
It allows you to:
- Automate temperature readings;
- Centralize cleaning plans;
- Monitor use-by dates and traceability in real time;
- Present all evidence during a health inspection in just a few clicks.
This digital approach ensures continuity between theoretical training and practical implementation. Teams save time, the risk of error is reduced, and compliance becomes second nature.
Ensuring long-term compliance for your establishment
HACCP training is an essential step, but it alone does not guarantee long-term compliance.
Only rigorous and documented implementation will ensure that you remain compliant during inspections.
That’s why more and more restaurant owners are relying on digital tools such as ePackPro to turn theory into everyday action: temperature monitoring, automatic alerts, digital archiving, centralized traceability.
This approach combines training and digitalization for hygiene management that is simple, reliable, and always compliant with regulatory requirements.
Request a free demo to discover how ePackPro can extend the effects of your HACCP training and simplify your health inspections.
Get in touch
Ready to digitise your food preparation space?
We’d love to demo ePackPro in your place of work. Click below to book a demo or ask us to call you back. We’d love to meet.
FAQ – Everything you need to know about HACCP training
Should the training be renewed?
No, but regular updates are still strongly recommended.
Is she eligible for the CPF?
Yes, most accredited organizations offer financing through the Personal Training Account.
Can we do it remotely?
Yes, through e-learning, provided that the institution is accredited.
How many people need to be trained?
At least one per establishment, ideally several to ensure continuity of service.
Is the certification valid for a limited period of time?
No, it remains valid over time, unless the regulatory texts are amended.
Would you like to find out more?
