Morrisons is the first UK organisation to join a new accreditation scheme from RSPH which is designed to endorse training programmes that support health, hygiene and safety.

RSPH's independent experts have rigorously examined the food safety training programmes provided by the supermarket group to ensure they are of high quality and suitable for both staff induction training and specialist food safety training for a range of job functions. The content of the programmes has been confirmed as meeting the requirements of relevant National Occupational Standards and they are well designed, engaging for the trainee, and up to date.

Ensuring that each member of its 117,000 staff is properly trained in all aspects of safe food handling is crucial in a fast moving environment such as Morrisons, and the repercussions of poor food handling are far reaching.

Professor Richard Parish, chief executive of RSPH, commented: "In achieving this RSPH accreditation, Morrisons has demonstrated its commitment to the highest standards in food safety training, ensuring that its staff and customers receive excellent service. As the first UK organisation to receive this accolade for their training programmes, it should be justly proud of its achievements."

Morrisons will now be able to display its RSPH certificate in each store, and use the new accreditation kitemark, which demonstrates that its food safety training programmes have been closely examined and approved by an independent assessor.

Michelle Walker, Morrisons training manager, said: "This expert assessment by the RSPH has really helped us to enhance the quality of our training programmes, confirming that they meet recognised standards and deliver real value to the organisation. Having this accreditation demonstrates to our staff and customers our commitment to high quality training and we look forward to further developing this relationship in the future."