Graduates looking to enter the food retail, manufacturing and catering industries may need to pass a new qualification to be employed.

The Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) has revealed a set of qualifications which comply with new National Occupational Standards, EU legislation and British law.

The Food and Drink Innovation Network reports it has been designed to ensure all staff dealing with food deliver safe products to customers and covers a range of food-related topics, such as legal requirements and hygiene.

The RIPH has worked closely with the Sector Skills Councils and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to develop the new qualifications, which are arranged into award levels within the National Qualifications Framework.

The organisation offers a range of QCA-accredited and other qualifications, including food hygiene and safety, decontamination, nutrition and HACCP qualifications that are recognised internationally.

An estimated one in ten people in the UK are thought to contract a food-borne illness each year, costing the NHS millions of pounds and employers large sums in lost working days. Some food-borne illnesses can be life threatening and businesses can be forced to close down if one is detected on the premises.