Food hygiene certificates and the law
UK food hygiene regulations require caterers to have food hygiene training or be closely supervised and instructed by someone who does. The food hygiene and safety course you need depends on both the type of food you handle and whether you supervise others. By law, you also need HACCP training if you are responsible for developing or maintaining a FSMS (Food Safety Management System).
Compliance Training for Caterers – Guidance to the Law is a useful source of reference to determine the level of food hygiene, health and safety, fire safety and first aid training required.
About our food hygiene certificates
- Online food hygiene certificate – Level 1 (suitable for induction) and Level 2 food hygiene courses are available on-line. These can reduce costs and standardise delivery.
- Level 1 Award in Food Safety – This is a half-day food hygiene training course suitable for those starting work in the food industry
- Level 2 Award in Food Safety – This is a single day food hygiene training course suitable for those preparing open high risk food.
- Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety – This is a three day course suitable for those who supervise others.
- Level 4 Award in Managing Food Safety – This is a five day course suitable for those who supervise others. It is also one of the qualifying criteria for those who wish to train others at Level 2 foundation level.
- Level 2 Award in HACCP – This is a one day course suitable for those involved in maintaining HACCP systems. It also acts as excellent refresher training for those whose food hygiene certificate is more than three years old.
- Food hygiene update training – devised by Safer Food Scores to keep managers up-to-date with the latest food safety developments that will affect their business.
- Level 3 Award in Effective Auditing and Inspection Skills. – This is a one day course intended for those involved in practical auditing or inspection of food premises, including internal or 3rd party auditors, enforcement officers and those verifying catering HACCP systems.
- Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness – This course is designed to raise awareness of food allergies and how they should be effectively managed in a food business.
- Food labelling training – devised by Safer Food Scores this course covers all a busy manager needs to know EU and UK food labelling law
Food hygiene certificates and food hygiene ratings
Food hygiene rating schemes will consider whether you and your team have sufficient and up-to-date food hygiene training. EHOs will also consider how well your team members understand and follow your food safety management system. If you are able to prove that all your team members are properly trained it will go a long way to helping you obtain a 5 out of 5 rating.
