EC Regulation 852 states that all food handlers must be trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity. This is a legal requirement, and so everyone that works in the food industry must be trained in food hygiene before they can begin work. Furthermore, it is recommended that food hygiene training is refreshed every 3 years to ensure you are kept up to date with best practice and any changes in the law. But how do you know which food hygiene certificate is best for you? To make things a little easier, our A-Z guide lists each food industry profession and details which certificate you need to take to satisfy your legal requirements.
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After School Club
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Anyone that handles or prepares food needs to take a Level 2 food hygiene course. The Catering course covers all the basic safety requirements and is specifically tailored to those people preparing and serving food, including the snacks you may serve at an after school club.
Bakery
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: If you are baking food for your customers then a Level 2 Food Safety for Catering course will teach you about basic food handling controls. If you are only serving customers then the Level 2 Food Safety for Retail course may be more suitable as this course covers more about food storage and stock control.
Bar
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: If your bar serves only drinks and pre-packaged snacks then a Level 2 Food Safety for Retail is recommended as it will teach you more on storage and stock control. If food is prepared or handled on site to serve to customers then a Level 2 Food Safety for Catering would be more appropriate.
Bed & Breakfast
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Anyone that prepares, handles or serves food at your B&B is required to take a Level 2 Food Safety for Catering course which covers all of the basic food hygiene topics, including information on cooking temperatures, cleaning and food poisoning. Dishwashers and kitchen porters may wish to consider the more basic Level 1 Food Safety Awareness.
Brewery
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing
Why?: Working in a manufacturing environment requires knowledge of the safe use of premises and equipment as well as general food hygiene, so the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing course is recommended to anyone in the brewing industry.
Burger Van
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Working in a mobile food business requires workers to take the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course which covers all of the basic food hygiene topics, including safe food preparation, cleanliness and legal requirements. This training ensures you understand the relevant food hygiene procedures to serve safe food to your customers.
Butchers
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: For anyone handling food at a butchers, whether that be behind the scenes or serving at the counter, a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course is advised. This course will provide you with knowledge of handling, preparing and serving high-risk foods safely as well as information on the safe storage and stock control procedures.
Café
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: If you work in a café that serves food to customers then a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is essential as it will teach you about all the important food safety topics for the safe storage, preparation, handling and serving of food. If you are in charge of a team then you may wish to consider the Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering course.
Cake Stall
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: If you are selling cakes on a stall at a market or fair, the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course will teach you what you need to know about serving food safely, stock control and personal hygiene. If you are baking the cakes for your stall then a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering, which covers more on the safe preparation of food, would be more appropriate.
Catering Company
Recommended Course: Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering
Why?: For people who own a catering company, such as one that supplies party food, wedding food or business lunches, a Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering course should be done to learn about food safety systems, food hygiene and relevant legislation. For catering company employees, the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course will be sufficient.
Child Minder
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: As someone who prepares food for children, including meals and snacks, it is important that you understand the safe food preparation, storage and handling procedures to avoid causing illness. A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course may seem over-cautious but it will ensure you understand all the basics of safe food preparation.
Chocolate Fountains
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail, unless baking/preparing food
Why?: If your chocolate fountain business involves serving food to the public then it is essential you have been trained in the correct food hygiene procedures: a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail is the most appropriate training. If you are baking or preparing the food, as well as serving it, then you may wish to consider the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course which covers more about safe food preparation and cooking/cooling temperatures.
Church
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Serving food and drink in a church is likely to only involve providing fellow church-goers with hot drinks and cakes, so taking a food safety training course is perhaps over-cautious. However, if you have a kitchen on-site and prepare the food there, then you may wish to consider the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course which will teach you the essential safe food preparation, storage and serving procedures.
Coffee Shop
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: All food establishments that prepare food and drink on-site to be served to customers need to be fully trained with a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course to ensure they understand the safe practices for preparing, handling and cooking food. If you are an employee who only serves food, then the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail is more appropriate as it covers topics such as food storage and stock control in more detail.
Community Centre
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: As with an after school club, a community centre may serve snacks or meals to the people that attend. If this is the case in your business then a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is ideal as the course covers all areas of food safety, including cleanliness, safe food preparation and food poisoning controls.
Cooking Classes
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: If your business involves teaching cooking to other people, a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course would be the most appropriate training. The course gives a basic understanding of all safe food handling procedures, including temperature control, personal hygiene, cleaning and preventing contamination, which will also prove as an excellent tool for passing on knowledge to your cooking students.
Delicatessen
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: A delicatessen business is likely to involve the need to store and serve food safely and hygienically, making the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course the perfect match. The course covers all appropriate food hygiene topics, including information on stock control, use-by dates, cleaning and the prevention of cross contamination.
Farm Shop
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: The Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course is the most suitable for workers in a farm shop as it is essential that you understand all about cleaning and personal hygiene, preventing food poisoning and vigilant stock control. This course covers all these topics to help you ensure that you keep the food you sell to your customers safe.
Farmers Market
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: At a market you are likely to be selling both loose and pre-packaged foods to your customers. In this instance, a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course is the most appropriate as the course is designed to teach you more about safe food storage, cleanliness and stock rotation, which are all essential topics for anyone selling food to the public.
Fast Food Outlet
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: A fast food outlet, such as a burger restaurant or a chip shop, will need to undertake Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering training to learn more about the relevant food safety procedures. In fast food establishments it is important that you take a Level 2 course to provide your compliance with the law and prove that you understand the basic food hygiene rules. If you are a manager or supervisor then you may wish to look at the Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering course.
Fish & Chip Shop
Recommended Course: Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering
Why?: A fish and chip shop worker requires essential knowledge on the safe preparation, cooking and holding temperatures of food, all of which are covered by the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course. The course also covers personal hygiene, cleaning and the prevention of contamination which are also vital topics for anyone working in a fish and chip shop or restaurant that is preparing and selling food to the public.
Fishmongers
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: For anyone handling food at a fishmongers, whether it is with raw fish or ready-cooked meals, it is essential that they understand the basic food hygiene procedures in order to prevent cross contamination and put customers at risk. The Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course covers all the essential food hygiene rules to ensure you know how to work safely with the food you prepare and serve to customers.
Food Factory
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing
Why?: A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing course is recommended for those who work in any sort of food factory, processing plant or assembly line. This course covers all food hygiene practices as well as information on keeping manufacturing equipment clean, pest control and preventing cross contamination. If you are a supervisor or manager then it is recommended you take the Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Manufacturing course which teaches more about implementing a food safety system in your business.
Hospital
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: If you work in a hospital kitchen, whether serving food to hospital patients or hospital staff, then a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering is the most appropriate certificate to take. This course covers all the essential topics for preparing food safely, cleaning and temperature control to keep the food you prepare hygienic and safe for people to eat. Having knowledge of bacteriology and food poisoning is particularly important if you are serving food to vulnerable people, such as hospital patients.
Hotel
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: People who work in a hotel kitchen will need to take a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course in order to learn the basics about safe food preparation, cooking temperatures, cleaning and preventing contamination. Everyone who works with food must be appropriately trained by law, with a Level 2 course being the expected minimum when you receive a food safety inspection.
Ice Cream Van
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: As someone that works in an ice cream van or truck, you will be serving food to customers on a daily basis. This means that you need to have sufficient knowledge in hygienic food preparation and cleaning procedures as well as knowledge of how to prevent giving your customers food poisoning. A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is recommended for all ice cream van employees.
Juice Bar
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Work at a juice bar is low-risk when it comes to food safety, but that doesn’t mean you should forgo the hygiene training. It is recommended that juice bar workers take a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course which covers food preparation controls, the different types of food safety hazard and the best practice for keeping your kitchen clean.
Market Stall
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: If you are selling food at a market stall, then a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course is the most appropriate kind of certificate for you to take. This course will teach you about use-by dates, food poisoning controls and personal hygiene to ensure that you are confident in handling and selling food safely. If you are preparing the food to sell on the market stall, then you should look at taking the level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course instead.
Milkshake/Smoothie Vendor
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Selling milkshakes or smoothies presents few food safety hazards, but as a business it is important that workers understand basic food hygiene procedures. It is recommended that employees take a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course to ensure that all basic food safety knowledge is understood – something that inspectors will be looking for when they visit you.
Mobile Truck
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: If you work in a mobile food business, such as a food truck, cart or van, then a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is recommended. This course is the introductory level for all food handlers and will teach you all bout the safe preparation, cooking and handling of food to ensure that the food you serve to customers is safe to eat.
Nursery Nurse
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: As someone who prepares and serves food to children, it is essential that you understand the correct food hygiene procedures so as to protect those children from a harm. It is recommended that nursery nurses who handle food take a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course which will ensure you have sufficient knowledge of heating and cooling good, cleaning procedures and prevention of harmful contamination.
Online Food Business
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: If you are an online retailer who prepares, packages and/or sells food via the internet, then it is advised you achieve a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail certificate. This course will teach you about food safety hazards, good hygiene practice, stock control and use-by dates to ensure that you can manage the food in your online business safely.
Packaging/Labelling Factory
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing
Why?: All food factory workers should take a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing certificate, which will ensure you know all about the safe handling of food, pest control and cleaning procedures. Taking training in food hygiene helps to keep the food you are packaging safe and free from contamination and a Level 2 course is seen as the minimum standard.
Pizzeria
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Whether you operate your business as a pizza restaurant or a takeaway, a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is the most appropriate training for you to take. This course will teach you everything you need to know about temperature control, safe food handling, cleaning procedures and food poisoning prevention to ensure the food you serve to your customers is safe to eat.
Pub
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: It is recommend that those who handle or prepare food in a pub setting take the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering certificate to learn more about the safe cooking and handling of food ingredients. If you don’t directly handle the food, or only work at the bar serving drinks, then you may wish to consider the introductory Level 1 Food Safety Awareness course for a basic overview of food safety procedures.
Restaurant
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: For restaurant workers who prepare, handle or serve food, a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is the most appropriate training to take. This course teaches you the basics about safe food preparation, cross contamination, cooking temperatures and cleaning. For managers and supervisors, the Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering would be advisable as this will help you with planning and implementing your food safety system and procedures.
Sandwich Shop
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: If your role involves preparing sandwiches and serving them to customers, it is important that you understand how to handle the food safely and hygienically. A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course is the most appropriate training in order to learn more about hygiene and cleaning, stock control, use-by dates and the prevention of food poisoning. This course will ensure that you comply with the law and can prove you are doing everything possible to prepare and sell safe food.
School Kitchen
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: As someone who prepares and serves food to children, food hygiene knowledge is absolutely essential, as children are one of the most vulnerable groups of people when it comes to food poisoning. A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is recommended for all those who work in a school or college kitchen to ensure you understand safe cooking temperatures, preparation methods, cleaning procedures and food poisoning controls.
Sell Cakes from Home
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: If you plan to make cakes at home to sell at a market, stall or other event, then it is still just as important that you take a food hygiene training course. A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is recommended for anyone who is baking at home with an aim to sell the cakes they make, as this will teach you all about food poisoning prevention, temperature control, cleaning and the law around food safety procedures.
Selling at Car Boot Fairs
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: Selling food at a boot fair is the same as selling at a market, whether you’ve got a stall, a tent or a food truck. In this instance, the best certificate for you to take is the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course which will teach you about safe food storage, handling and cleaning procedures. If you are preparing the food on-site or off-site beforehand then the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course may be more appropriate as this covers more on cooking temperatures and safe food preparation methods.
Sports Club
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Sports clubs may only serve snacks and drinks but it is still important to ensure you have taken training in food safety. The most appropriate course is Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering which covers all the basic food hygiene topics, including the prevention of contamination, personal hygiene, cleaning and safe cooking methods.
Street Food Truck
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: If you are preparing food for a street food business that will be served to customers, a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is the expected minimum standard for all workers. It is important that you understand safe food handling procedures, cooking temperatures and cleaning methods to ensure that the food you sell is safe for customers to eat.
Supermarket
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: Supermarkets often contain many different food areas, including in-store bakeries, meat counters, storage areas and the main shelving units where customers buy their food. All supermarket staff should be well versed in food hygiene by taking a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course, which will ensure you know the basics about safe food storage, use-by dates, stock rotation and cleaning procedures. Managers and supervisors should consider taking the Level 3 Food safety Supervision for Retail course to learn more about creating a food safety management system.
Sushi Bar
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: The most appropriate food hygiene certificate for those serving food at a sushi bar is the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course, which covers all the basic food safety procedures that staff need to know about. This course teaches all the essential topics, including the safe preparation of food, the prevention of contamination, cooking temperatures and safe cleaning methods.
Sweet Shop
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: Whilst sweets are a very low-risk food that present few food safety hazards, it is still important that, as a food business, you have an understanding of the basic food safety principles. For sweet shop staff a Level 2 Food safety and Hygiene for Retail course is recommended as this training covers everything you need to know about cleaning, stock control and use-by dates as well as the basics of safe food handling.
Takeaway
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Takeaway staff are likely to be preparing and cooking food on-site as well as serving it to the public to eat. Cooking with raw ingredients alongside ready-to-eat foods is highly risky, so it is essential that all workers have a complete understanding of food safety. A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is recommended for all takeaway workers to learn about the best practice when it comes to cooking food, cleaning, preventing cross-contamination and storing food safely.
Tea Room
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering
Why?: Most team rooms serve cakes, sandwiches and other snacks that are prepared freshly on-site or bought in to sell onto customers. It is important, therefore, that all tea room workers know how to prepare, handle, store and serve this food safely and hygienically. A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course is the most appropriate certificate as it covers all basic food safety topics and ensures that your workers comply with food safety law.
Transporter
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: Everyone who handles food has a legal obligation to undertake food safety training, including those who transport food. This is particularly the case if your HGV is fitted with chilling units or freezers. Although taking a food hygiene course may be over-cautious, the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing course is recommended as it covers information on topics such as storage temperatures, personal hygiene, cleaning and food safety law, all of which are relevant to your job role.
Warehouse
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing
Why?: The Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Manufacturing course is recommended for all food warehouse staff, as the course covers all basic food safety topics relevant to the role, including information on food safety regulations, cleaning procedures, prevention of contamination and pest control. If you are the manager of a warehouse then it is recommended you take the Level 3 Food Safety Supervision for Manufacturing course which will help you to understand more about managing people and implementing a food safety management system.
Wholesaler
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: Wholesalers are primarily retailers, and so the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course is the most suitable certificate to take for people in this industry. The Retail course teaches you about industry regulations, prevention of contamination, pest control, stock control and use-by dates to ensure workers understand every aspect of food hygiene in relation to their job role.
Wine Bar
Recommended Course: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail
Why?: As with a bar or pub, wine bars that only serve drinks and pre-packaged snacks are low-risk, and so taking a food safety certificate is perhaps over-cautious. However, the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Retail course is recommended as the course covers basic food safety procedures as well as information on cleaning, food storage and stock control, all of which are topics relevant to workers in a wine bar.