Where to Learn Food Processing: Training Courses and Government Support Resources

Where to Start Learning Food Processing

If you want to make dumplings, buns, or frozen snacks, craftsmanship is only the starting point. To produce consistently and sell legally, you need to understand at least three things:

• Food hygiene regulations: The Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, the Regulations on Good Hygiene Practice for Food, and labeling and registration rules
• Quality and safety management: HACCP hazard analysis, process control, records
• Process technology: The principles and equipment for dough, fillings, steaming and boiling, freezing, and packing

These are the common learning and support channels in Taiwan.

Food Industry Research and Development Institute

The Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI, 食品工業發展研究所), located in Hsinchu, is Taiwan's main food research institution. Its "Food Industry Academy" runs training courses covering basic, advanced, and continuing education classes in the food safety control system (HACCP), as well as topics such as food regulations, quality management, and processing technology. Course schedules, hours, and fees are announced for each session; check FIRDI's official website before registering.

Besides courses, FIRDI also provides industry research reports, technical services, and testing equipment, useful for businesses developing new products or improving processes.

HACCP Training Required by Law

If your business is in a sector that the TFDA has designated by notice under Article 8 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation to implement a food safety control system, the Regulations on Food Safety Control System (食品安全管制系統準則) set clear training requirements:

• Article 3: A control team must be formed with at least 3 members, and the person in charge or their designee is a required member
• Article 4: Control team members must complete at least 30 hours of courses at a training institution recognized by the central competent authority and obtain a certificate; thereafter, they must accumulate at least 12 hours of continuing education every 3 years
• Article 11: Food businesses must provide internal training at least once a year for personnel who implement the system

So for businesses it applies to, HACCP courses aren't just "learning"; they're a legal obligation. For the list of recognized training institutions, go by the announcements of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration.

The Ministry of Labor's Industry Talent Investment Program: Tuition Subsidies

Employees, or owners themselves, who want further training can use the Workforce Development Agency's Industry Talent Investment Program (產業人才投資方案) under the Ministry of Labor:

• It subsidizes 80% or 100% of training fees for employed workers who take part (generally 80%, 100% for specific groups)
• Up to NT$100,000 per person every 3 years (raised from NT$70,000 starting in 2025)
• Participants generally need to be insured under employment insurance, labor insurance, labor occupational accident insurance, or farmers' health insurance
• Courses are run by private training providers and can be found and registered for through the in-service training section of the Taiwan Jobs (台灣就業通) website
• The usual process is to pay the fee yourself first, then apply for the subsidy after completing the course and passing

Courses on food processing, baking, food safety, and HACCP can often be found here; eligibility and subsidy conditions follow Ministry of Labor announcements.

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Other Support Resources

• MOEA Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration: Provides guidance and consulting for SMEs on business management, financing, digital transformation, and more; most support programs are announced annually, so check the current year's announcement before applying.
• R&D subsidies: For developing new products or processes, evaluate SBIR or local SBIR.
• Equipment investment: For tax incentives on equipment purchases, see smart machinery investment tax credits; for the current status of equipment-related subsidies, see government subsidies.
• Local health bureaus: Before opening, you can ask your local health bureau about food business registration and hygiene inspection requirements.

Who to Learn Machine Operation From

Food processing courses teach principles and regulations; operating a specific machine still depends on training from the equipment supplier. When buying a machine, confirm:

• Whether the training covers operation, parameter adjustment, disassembly and washing, and daily maintenance
• Whether there are written or video materials to help new staff learn
• Whether the procedure for stopping, cutting power, and lockout/tagout before cleaning and maintenance is clearly explained

For how Dong-Yih Machinery provides training on its models, please call 06-257-4644 or reach us through our contact information page.

FAQ

Q: Where can I learn food processing?
A: The Food Industry Academy at the Food Industry Research and Development Institute runs courses on HACCP, regulations, and processing technology; the Ministry of Labor's Industry Talent Investment Program also has many food-related courses run by private providers, searchable on the Taiwan Jobs in-service training website.

Q: What courses does FIRDI offer?
A: FIRDI runs basic, advanced, and continuing education HACCP classes, as well as courses on food regulations, quality management, and processing technology; sessions and fees follow announcements on its official website.

Q: How many hours of HACCP training are required?
A: Under Article 4 of the Regulations on Food Safety Control System, control team members must complete at least 30 hours of courses at a recognized institution and obtain a certificate, then accumulate at least 12 hours of continuing education every 3 years.

Q: Are there subsidies for courses?
A: The Ministry of Labor's Industry Talent Investment Program subsidizes 80% or 100% of training fees for employed workers, up to NT$100,000 per person every 3 years, applied for after completing the course and passing.

Q: Does the government provide support?
A: The MOEA Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration offers guidance on SME management, financing, and digital transformation, and SBIR is available for R&D; most programs are announced annually, so go by the current year's announcement.