Food hygiene training

Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity which should enable them to handle food safely.

Food hygiene course are available as follows:

  • Level 2 Award in Food Safety (equivalent to the old CIEH 'foundation Level in food hygiene' )
  • Level 3 Award in Food Safety (Intermediate level)
  • Level 4 Award in Food Safety (Advanced level)

As a guide, food handlers who prepare open, high-risk foods should have formal training equivalent to the Level 2 award. These are certified courses and the candidate will sit an examination. The course duration is usually one day.

The course is specifically aimed at all food handlers employed in production, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, catering and retail outlets. The training will also benefit managers, supervisors and proprietors of food businesses.

It is good practice for a business to keep records of training completed by every member of staff, to demonstrate individual levels of competence.

Training providers

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) have produced a course finder to help you find details of training centres that run food hygiene courses. 

Courses are also provided by the Royal Society of Public Health.

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