Learn how to produce, manufacture and market healthy food products, from super snacks like bliss balls to meat-free meals. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a lifestyle influencer, this exciting online course is ideal for you!
The Certificate of Health Food Production is an online professional development program that will show you how to manufacture and market nutritionally-sound health food products for profit.
In this food product development course, you will explore the process of commercial health food production for business. You’ll learn about diet-related needs (medical, health, lifestyle, religious and cultural considerations), nutritional science, marketing for specialised food products and services and food coaching.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to take your food product development to market!
Course Structure
Unit - Health food production
Unit 1 – Nature, Scope and Development of Health Foods
- Introduction to health food
- Diets for medical and health reasons
- Dairy-free diets
- Diabetes mellitus and glycaemic index
- Gut microbiota
- Diet for lifestyle or principle-based reasons
- Diets for religious and cultural reasons
- Types of diets
- Vegetarian
- Pescatarian & pollo-pescatarian
- Organics
- Vegan
- Raw
- Ketogenic
- Free from (gluten free, soy free, lactose free, nut free, sugar free, dairy free, egg free, sulphite free)
- Paleo
- Macrobiotic
- Mediterranean, eastern and western
- Low carbohydrate or no-sugar
- Carnivore
- Introduction to commercial development of food products
Unit 2 – Health Food and Human Nutrition
- Introduction to nutrition science
- The concept of diet
- Human digestion – an overview
- The digestive tract
- Accessory digestive organs (tongue and teeth, salivary glands, liver, gall bladder and pancreas)
- Major food groups
- Fats, protein and carbohydrates
- Specialised diets & human nutrition deficiencies
- Vegetarian and pescatarian
- Vegan and ketogenic
- Free-from and paleo
- O.D.M.A.P.
Unit 3 – Significance of Gluten, Sugar and Fermented Products
- Gluten
- Chemistry of gluten
- Gluten in the diet
- Gluten in food industry
- Gluten-free (GF) product development
- Sugar
- The chemistry of sugar
- Sugar in the body
- Sugar-free product development
- Sweeteners and sugar alcohols
- Fermented foods
- Yeasts
- Chemistry of fermentation
- Fermented foods in the diet for human health
- Fermented foods product development
- Kefir, kimchi, and kombucha
- Miso, natto and sauerkraut
- Common substitutions and adjustments
Unit 4 – Development of Wheat Substitute Products
- Wheat
- Wheat products free-from gluten
- Coeliac disease symptoms & treatment
- Treatment of coeliac disease
- Making gluten free bread and texture
- Selecting a gluten-free flours
- Common gluten free-flour types
- Almond
- Buckwheat
- Chickpea
- Coconut
- Corn
- Millet
- Oats
- Potato Flour
- Sorghum
- Soy
- Rice flour
- Teff
- Starches
- Arrowroot
- Corn-starch
- Potato Starch
- Tapioca
- Binding
- Creating flour blends
- Other elements in gluten-free bread
- Legume proteins
- Animal proteins
- Emulsification
- Leavening agents and rising in gluten-free bread
- Baking gluten-free bread and muffins
- GF muffins
- Recipes
Unit 5 – Development of Protein Substitute Products
- Specialised protein products
- Protein and why we need it
- Essential amino acids
- Non- essential amino acids
- Conditionally essential amino acids
- Why proteins are needed in the body
- Recommended protein intake
- Plant-based substitutions
- Legumes as a protein source
- Soybeans
- Chickpeas
- The dairy-free market
- Dairy free substitutes
- Egg-free diets
- How to replace eggs in recipes
Unit 6 – Development of Dairy Substitute Products
- Cow’s milk protein (CMP)
- Cow’s milk sugar (lactose)
- Making non-dairy milk
- General plant milk recipe
- How to make soy milk
- Cheese (focus on flavour and melt)
- Soft, creamier non-dairy cheeses
- Replicating the cheese-making method
- Plant-based yoghurt
- Principles for plant-based yoghurt
- Creams and ice-cream
- Cream
- Basic nut cream
Unit 7 – Development of Vegetarian and Vegan Products
- Vegetarianism
- Types of vegetarian diets
- Veganism
- Nutrition in vegetarian and vegan cooking
- Tofu products
- Soybean products
- Cooking for vegetarians
- Vegetarian sausages
- Emulsification
- Fat, flavour and colour
- Composition
- Pumpkin sausages and meatless burgers
- Production of burgers
- Building flavour into foods
- Vegetarian produce suggestions
- Beans
- Bean products – for manufacture
- Nuts in health food product development
- Types of nuts
- Selling food to the vegan and vegetarian market
Unit 8 – Business Applications in Health Food Manufacturing
- Sourcing ingredients
- Buy local
- Farmers market insights
- Sell local
- Sourcing organic foods
- Cross-contamination and labelling
- Labelling laws
- Restaurant and café menus
- Consumer attitudes
- Changing habits
- Business owner occupational health and safety responsibilities
- Insurance
- Working with health professionals
- Food coaching
- Nutritional counsellor or therapist
Unit 9 – Marketing Specialised Food and Associated Services
- Introduction to marketing
- Monitoring and controlling the marketing plan
- Branding and strategy
- Ultimate goals of marketing
- Marketing sends a message
- Message execution
- Words sell
- Personalise
- Deciding to buy
- Understand the buyer
- Types of marketing research
- Ways of gathering data
- Primary data collections methods
- Secondary data collection method
- What is needed to conduct effective research
- The outcome of market research
- Modifications to the marketing plan
- Market share analysis (ratios)
- Marketing cost analysis
- Taking a product to the market
- Wholesaling
- Face to face retail and online stores or mail order
- Online sales
- Business to business (B2B)
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Really enjoyed learning and course content
B. Bernhard, Brookfield, VIC | Certificate of Health Food Production
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- People who work in food retail
- Home-based or small business owners
- Specialised food/crop producers
- Human nutrition specialists Café and restaurant owners
- Holistic life coaches Speciality kitchens – cooks or chefs
- Food and beverage product developers
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