A collaboration agreement between the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG) and the University of Pretoria (UP)'s Deapartment of Consumer and Food Sciences marks a significant milestone in the food safety/hygiene education field in South Africa and Africa. This agreement is even more noteworthy because UP is the first African university to sign up for this.

This agreement was further cemented with a recent lecture on hygienic design for final-year Food Science students. Indeed, a big step forward for food safety education in the region.

Mr Peet Grobler, Chair EHEDG Regional Section South Africa and Authorised Trainer, explains that “By integrating hygienic design modules into the University’s Food Engineering third-year and postgraduate curriculums, both institutions are paving the way for a new generation of food scientists and food engineers in Africa who are well-prepared to address the critical issues of hygiene and food safety. By including specialised modules on hygienic design ensures that students are equipped with the technical skills needed and gain in-depth understanding of how hygienic principles and practices are implemented to contribute to the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the food processing industry.”

He added, “Subject matter experts and authorised trainers certified by EHEDG are involved in teaching and guiding the students, ensuring they are exposed to the latest technology and best practices in hygienic design. The content of these modules goes beyond theoretical knowledge, offering students practical insights and hands-on learning experiences.”

EHEDG's efforts in education have been instrumental in spreading the importance of hygienic design worldwide across several continents, with contributions from major stakeholders in various food science and engineering disciplines. To empower and cultivate the inclusion of a new generation of hygienic design leaders, fostering innovation and collaboration to revolutionise the industry, EHEDG recently launched their GenEHEDG initiative, and UP is at the forefront of this remarkable project with two other international universities from Vienna and Cardiff.

According to Prof Gyebi Duodu, Head of the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, “This will equip students with essential skills directly applicable to their future careers in the food industry. These skills are critical, as food safety regulations are becoming stricter, and companies are increasingly prioritising hygienic design to minimise the risk of product contamination. It helps future professionals understand the vital link between hygienic design and food safety by embedding hygienic design principles within the programme. Graduates with expertise in hygienic design are highly sought after by food manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and consultancy firms,” Prof Duodu explained.

Mr Grobler concluded, “Educating students in hygienic concepts and principles so they understand the importance of hygienic design will certainly contribute to more sustainable and efficient food production processes. This collaboration has the potential to grow beyond the current scope, and there are opportunities for developing additional modules or courses that focus on emerging trends in food safety, sustainability, and innovative food processing technologies.”

Prof Duodu emphasised that ‘The partnership with EHEDG enhances the University/Department’s reputation as a leader in food science and food engineering education. It also strengthens the relationship between academia and industry, creating further research and development opportunities.”