Updated on 20 Aug, 2015

Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (PGDFSQM)

Minimum Duration: 1 Year
Maximum Duration: 4 Years
Course Fee: Rs. 14,400
Minimum Age: No bar
Maximum Age: No bar

Eligibility:

a) Graduation/ Post Graduation in Science with Chemistry/ Bio-chemistry or Microbiology as one of the subjects.

b) Degree/ Post Graduation Degree in allied sciences like Agriculture/ Food Science/ Food Technology/ Post Harvest Technology/ Engineering/ Home Science/ Life Science/ Microbiology/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Horticulture/ Dairy Technology/ Veterinary/ Fisheries/ Hotel Management and Catering/ Hospitality Management etc.

c) Science graduates in disciplines like Geography, Statistics with Physics & Math, Art Subjects and Medical Lab technology and with minimum three years’ experience in food processing and /or quality control. These students should have minimum one year experience in quality control activities.

d) Art/ Commerce graduates with diploma in food science/ hotel management disciplines viz. fruits and vegetables, dairy technology, meat technology, cereal, pulses and oilseeds etc. with minimum 5 years’ experience in Food Processing/ Food Quality Control/ Hotel Management (food preparation/ food catering) and out of which two years’ experience should be in quality control activities. This shall provide vertical mobility to diploma holders.

e) B.A./ B.Com Graduates with minimum of 7 years’ experience in Food Processing/ Food Quality Control/ Hotel Management (food preparation/ food catering) or holding senior position in Govt./Semi Govt. Units involved in Food Quality Control.

Programme overview

Food safety is a fundamental public health concern. The Food Safety and Quality has become an area of priority and necessity for consumers, retailers, manufacturers and regulators. Changing global patterns of food production, international trade, technology, public expectations for health protection and many other factors have created a huge demand for food safety and quality auditing professionals.

IGNOU and APEDA have come together to launch this programme, the first such initiative in India, with an emphasis on practical proficiency development exercises. This programme is expected to meet the increasing human resource requirements for food safety and quality management professionals in the agriculture and food sectors.

Objectives:

The core objective of the programme is to develop professionals for development, implementation and auditing of Food Safety and Quality Management in the country. It seeks to develop India’s capability to meet the global food safety and quality requirements and enhance competitiveness of food products. In long term perspective, it would contribute to ensure consumer safety within and outside the country.

This PG programme shall enable the students to:

Comprehend the issues of safety and quality in food production, handling, processing and trade.
Build technical proficiency in undertaking food safety and quality assurance in food processing chain i.e., from farm to fork.
Ensure the safety and quality of food products as per mandatory legal requirements and voluntary standards including export regulations, if required.
Design and implement
- Good Hygienic Practices (GHP)
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
- Quality Management Systems (QMS): ISO9001
- Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) : ISO 22000
- Environmental Management Systems: ISO 14001
- Laboratory Management System: ISO 17025
- Retail Standards
Be able to effectively plan, conduct, report and audit as per the guidelines of the ISO 19011-2002.
Undertake Standard Microbiological and Chemical analysis of Food Products.
Apply Good Hygienic, Manufacturing, Laboratory, Transportation and Retail Practices in Food Processing/ Hospitality industry and Retail outlets.

Courses:

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credits
MVP-001	Food Fundamentals & Chemistry	4 (4+0)
MVPI-001	Food Microbiology	4 (2+2)
MVP-002	Food Laws and Standards	4 (4+0)
MVP-003	Principles of Food Safety and Quality Management	4 (4+0)
MVP-004	Food Safety and Quality Management Systems	4 (4+0)
MVPL-001	Food Safety and Quality Auditing	4 (0+4)
MVPL-002	Chemical Analysis and Quality Assurance	4 (0+4)
MVPP-001	Project Work	4 (0+4)

(Numbers in brackets indicate the credits for Theory and Practical, respectively)

CourseCode	Course Name	Credits
MVP-001	Food Fundamentals & Chemistry	4
MVPI-001	Food Microbiology	4
MVP-002	Food Laws and Standards	4
MVP-003	Principles of Food Safety and Quality Management	4
MVPL-001	Food Safety and Quality Auditing	4
MVPL-002	Chemical Analysis and Quality Assurance	4
MVPP-001	Project Work	4

Medium of Instruction:

English

Target Group:

The PG Diploma is intended for Graduates in Science/ Agriculture/ Food Science or allied disciplines contemplating a career in Food Safety and Quality Management. It is also intended for professionals in food processing and quality control for strengthening their proficiency in design and implement quality management systems, undertake food auditing and implement new food act- Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. The programme shall also open new vista for entrepreneurs who intend to diversify in food safety and quality aspects.

Job Opportunities:

Quality Control Officer or Quality Assurance/ Management professionals in food /hospitality/ retail industry and laboratories,
Food Safety Officer in the regulatory bodies,
Food Auditor in Certification and Inspection bodies,
Trainer/ Counsellor in Food Safety & Quality Management Systems, and
Self-Employment as food certifying/auditing professionals for the Food Safety and Quality Management Systems

Counselling sessions:

The programme has practical component and equal weightage has been given to theory and practical components. The participation in the practical session is an integral part of the programme. 75% attendance in the practical counselling session is compulsory to appear in the practical examinations. The counselling sessions are held at the study centres (usually during weekends) according to the schedule drawn by the programme-in-charge. The details of the study centre can be obtained from the IGNOU website or concerned regional centres.

Additional Information:

There is no Fee Concession available to students enrolling under this PG Diploma programme. There is no entrance test for taking admission in this programme.

The additional information about the programme and the admission details are available at IGNOU website – www.ignou.ac.in and our Regional Centres. Additional information about this programme may also be obtained from School of Agriculture.

For further information, kindly contact:

Prof. M.K. Salooja,

Programme Coordinator,

School of Agriculture,

G Block, Zakir Hussain Bhawan,

IGNOU, Maidan Garhi,

New Delhi - 110 068.

Phone: +91-011-29572976/29534773

E-mail: [email protected]

(or)

The Director,

School of Agriculture,

G Block, Zakir Hussain Bhawan,

IGNOU, Maidan Garhi,

New Delhi-110 068.

Phone: +91-011-29533167

Tele Fax: +91-011-29533167

E-mail: [email protected]

Regional Centres: