R638 refresher training: keeping food handler training current
Getting staff trained is step one. Keeping that training alive on the floor, and being able to show it, is where most food businesses struggle.
South Africa's R638 hygiene regulations require the person in charge of a food premises to be trained in food safety and to ensure that food handlers are trained too. A one-off course is rarely enough to keep habits in place, so many businesses add regular refresher training: short team sessions, toolbox talks and knowledge checks, recorded alongside formal training. Food Safety Legends is a board game that makes those refreshers engaging.
What R638 says about training (in brief)
R638, the Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, the Transport of Food and Related Matters (2018), replaced the older R962 and applies to food premises across South Africa. It places responsibility on the person in charge: they must be adequately trained in food safety and hygiene, and must make sure the food handlers working with them are trained as well.
This page is a practical summary, not legal advice. Check the regulation itself and your local environmental health practitioner for requirements that apply to your premises, and see our food handler training guide for the formal options.
Why refresher training matters
- People forget what they do not practise, especially rules they rarely see broken.
- Staff turnover means part of your team may have missed the last course.
- Inspectors, auditors and retail customers increasingly look for evidence that training is ongoing, not a once-off.
- Most food safety lapses are habits, not knowledge gaps. Habits change through repetition and discussion.
Refresher formats that work
| Format | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Food Safety Legends game session | 30–60 min | Monthly team refreshers, all roles together |
| Toolbox talk with a Pitfall card | 5–10 min | Weekly shift huddles |
| Quiz round | 10–15 min | Checking knowledge before an inspection or audit |
| Refresher course with a provider | Half to full day | Formal re-training and certificates |
What to record
- Date, duration and format of each session
- Names (and signatures) of attendees
- Topics covered, e.g. handwashing, cross-contamination, allergens, temperature control
- Gaps noticed and the follow-up action agreed
Keep these with your formal training certificates. See training records for your Certificate of Acceptability.
Common questions
Does Food Safety Legends count as R638 training?
No. It is not accredited and does not issue certificates. Use it to reinforce and refresh R638 training between formal courses.
How often should refresher training happen?
R638 does not prescribe a game or a schedule; many food businesses run short refreshers monthly and formal refresher courses periodically. Follow your auditor, customer or inspector requirements.
Who is responsible for food handler training under R638?
The person in charge of the food premises must be trained and must ensure that food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene.
Make your R638 refreshers engaging
Order Food Safety Legends and run your first refresher session this month.
