More staff members in catering companies across the country will receive professional guidance in 2012 under a nationwide food safety training program.

The program, by China Center for Pharmaceutical International Exchange and Unilever China, and supported by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), aims to increase food safety awareness of staff members in catering companies, and improve food safety management levels in the whole industry.

The training program was launched in Shanghai earlier this month. So far, about 450 people in catering companies from Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou have received training courses.

The three-day program includes a series of lessons and discussion, such as the introduction of food safety management law and regulation, the risk control of food safety in catering companies.

Meanwhile, food safety experts also provided direction and advice based on different regional cuisine features.

According to a report by Unilever China, 85 percent of people in China eat lunch outside at least once a week. The safety of food has become their main concern.

Through the program, catering companies in the country are expected to enhance their ability in food safety management and improve the management level unceasingly, according to Zhao Yajun, director of China Center for Pharmaceutical International Exchange.

According to the plan, the training program will be carried out in more cities and provinces across the country in next year.