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Course Description

This course is intended to equip cheese makers with a working knowledge of food safety concepts and how to implement food safety preventive control plans. The class will learn how to assess the risk associated with various cheese making processes, and how to mitigate risk via good manufacturing practices (pre-HACCP) including effective cleaning and sanitation protocols, and HACCP based hazard control. The technical principles of quality assurance in the cheese industry will also be discussed. Finally, the course includes training on the regulations and policies that govern cheese making in Canada.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. Characterize biological, physical and chemical hazards associated with particular cheese varieties and cheese making processes during class exercises.

2. Understand the basic elements of preventive control programs and quality assurance programs for cheese making facilities and for particular cheese manufacturing processes through class presentation, exercises and home assignment.

3. Use some elements of the preventive control plan and HACCP plan as it applies to cheesemaking

4. Apply the principles of food safety to plan and execute cheese plant cleaning and sanitation programs

5. Interpret regulations and policies relevant to the cheese industry, and to their own cheese making operations during class discussions

6. Give original examples of activities that can lead to a positive food safety culture, and stressless implementation and evaluation of the FSQA programs within the organization.

Course Topics

  • Introduction to Dairy Safety
  • Cheese risk assessment. Biological, Chemical and Physical hazards
  • Preventive Control Plan
  • HACCP
  • Prerequisites
  • Cleaning and Sanitation
  • Policy and Regulation

Job Market Overview

 

Additional Requirements

Prerequisites: None. However, previous knowledge of basic microbiology principles and dairy chemistry are desired. Introduction To Cheese Technology is a recommended course to precede this course.

Assessment

Assessment Item Weight
End-of-unit 5-minute quizzes 20%
Participation in online discussions 20%
1 home assignments 60%
Total 100%

Please note that the course assessment is subject to change.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

Technical Requirements

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*Course details are subject to change.

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Section Title
Cheese Safety and Quality Assurance
Type
Online
Dates
February 10, 2026 to March 09, 2026
Type
In-Class Instruction
Days
Thursday, Friday
Time
9:00AM to 4:30PM
Dates
February 12, 2026 to February 13, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
28.0
Location
  • Guelph
Delivery Options
Online Synchronous  
Course Fee(s)
Registration Fee $1,000.00
Section Notes

Instructor: Mary Ann Ferrer

For any questions about the course, please contact fsevents@uoguelph.ca

For questions about the registration process, please contact register@uoguelph.ca

Course Cancellations and Postponements

Food Science reserves the right to change or cancel a course at any time. When it is necessary to cancel or postpone a course, Food Science will make every effort to notify all students. It is important that you provide your full contact information including an email address when registering. In such cases, the paid course fee(s) will be refunded.

Food Science’s liability is limited to the reimbursement of paid course fee(s). Food Science will not be responsible for travel or other related expenses incurred by the registrant.

Please note:

A full refund less a $75 Administration Fee will be issued provided a drop request is received prior to January 10, 2026.

No refunds available after January 10, 2026.

Registration closes February 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

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