Jibran Ahmed
Food science and technology is beyond the Safety Certifications. In today’s world, the field of food science is increasingly being targeted by organizations that offer fake or non-accredited certifications. These organizations, often found on platforms like LinkedIn, provide certificates that lack proper accreditation and are not recognized by reputable standardization bodies. They exploit students by charging high fees for credentials that hold little to no value in the professional world. This growing issue has serious consequences for those trying to advance their careers in food science.
One major problem is that students who invest their time and money in these fake programs often end up with certifications that are not recognized by employers or industry professionals. This means that their efforts and financial investment can be wasted, leaving them with no real advantage in the job market. Additionally, these unaccredited programs usually do not provide the essential skills and knowledge required by the industry, leaving students inadequately prepared for real-world challenges. For instance, certifications like HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, and Halal certifications are critical in ensuring food safety and quality. Fake certifications often fail to meet these rigorous standards, leading to gaps in knowledge and expertise. Moreover, many of these fake certification providers are using CPD Certification Service without even becoming their registered providers.
The proliferation of such certifications also creates confusion among employers. With so many unrecognized credentials, it becomes difficult for hiring managers to determine the true qualifications of job candidates. This can lead to legitimate certifications, such as HACCP or ISO 22000, being devalued, making it harder for qualified professionals to stand out. The confusion is further compounded when employers cannot distinguish between valid and fraudulent Halal certifications, which are essential for compliance in various markets.
Strong regulations and oversight are needed to address these issues. First, there should be clear guidelines for what constitutes an accredited and legitimate certification program. Reputable standardization bodies should be responsible for accrediting certification providers to ensure that only credible programs are available. Some of internationally recognized certification platforms include Coursera, which partners with universities and institutions to offer accredited courses, and Alison, which provides a wide range of courses with some certifications recognized by industry leaders. These platforms often work with reputable organizations to ensure the validity of their certifications.
Additionally, educational institutions and professional organizations should work together to educate students about how to identify and avoid fraudulent certification programs. It is also crucial to develop transparent verification systems that allow students and employers to easily check the authenticity of certifications. By improving access to information about accredited programs and creating a standard for certification validity, students can make more informed decisions and avoid falling victim to scams.
The lack of strict rules and enforcement against these fraudulent practices allows these scams to continue with little risk of being caught or punished, which keeps spreading false information and exploiting people in the field of food science and other areas. Also, having access to real company data and documents designs allows scammers to falsely link their fake certificates to well-known organizations, making it easier to deceive people.
Ending with the words that the rise of fake food science certifications (like HACCP of various Levels, ISO, HALAL Leads , Food Safety etc.) is a pressing issue that needs urgent attention. By implementing stronger regulations and providing better resources for verification, we can protect students from unethical practices and ensure that their hard work and investments lead to genuine career advancements .
(Writer is From Department of Food Science and Technology, BZU Multan)