More about Food Hygiene Courses and Training

Health and Safety: Food and Hygiene Safety

Food Hygiene legislation requires all food handlers to receive appropriate supervision, and be instructed and trained in food hygiene to enable them to handle food safely.

Anyone handling food and drink within the catering sector must be trained in food safety and hygiene and apply it to their work. In order to ensure that your workplace is in compliance with the main general food law requirements, including the provisions on food safety, you must keep up to date with legislation by gaining a food hygiene certificate.

Being familiar with the handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent food-borne illness, will allow your workplace to operate legally and help your understanding of the number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards. Another positive of being in this industry is to have knowledge of nutrition which can also improve health.

Food safety and food hygiene courses are aimed at anyone working in a role that involves contact with food, or the management of such people; and include regulations which require that anyone involved in food handling must be appropriately trained in food safety. Food safety courses are generally delivered at a variety of levels and tailored to all sectors including Induction, Awareness, Refresher and Foundation Training.

Food Industry Auditing and Quality Assurance

To be effective, the food industry needs to meet various safety requirements. These requirements are fulfilled by auditors who understand regulations and are properly competent in the management systems approach. Training courses in the area of food auditing aim to prepare individuals to audit the activities of firms in order to stay in compliance with the constantly changing legislative and food safety challenges. By focusing on a practical and measured approach, these courses in food industry auditing implement food safety management systems in the most cost-effective way.

What food hygiene certificate do I need?

The level of food hygiene certification you require will very much depend on your job role and how closely you be coming into contact with food. A certificate in food hygiene is a worthwhile training course even if you don't handle food directly as part of your job, as it teaches you valuable safety procedures to avoid cross-contamination and sickness.

There are currently 3 levels of the food hygiene certificate:

Level 1 food hygiene certificate

The Level 1 Food Hygiene certificate provides a basic understanding of food handling safety. Generally, this qualification is not suitable for those working directly with the handling or serving of food, and if food handling is part of your day-to-day role, you should start with a Level 2 certification.

This course is great for:

Front of house staff
Schools or students about to begin work experience in a food environment
Anyone interested in food safety, hygiene and the prevention of foodborne illnee

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

The Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate builds upon the basic foundation of Level 1, making it suitable for anyone working with food. It goes into greater detail with regards to the legislation, offering practical tips for those working with food on how to prepare and serve food safely.

This course is great for:

Waiters and waitresses
Food servers/Foodservice assistants
Chefs, sous-chefs and those who aid in the preparation of food
Kitchen porters

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

The Level 3 Certificate in Food Hygiene is aimed at Head Chefs, Managers and Supervisors. It takes a granulated view of food safety procedures and processes, with a particular focus on the role of the manager or supervisor in managing and maintaining policies surrounding food safety in the business.

This course is great for: