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What level of food hygiene do I need?

Did you know that a recent review by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimated that around 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness occur every year in the UK? Maintaining high standards of food hygiene is not only crucial for legal compliance but also essential for protecting your customers and your business's reputation. 

As the learning and development partner of choice for the hospitality and retail industry, CPL Learning’s pioneering approach to learning has been unlocking the potential of individuals and teams for over two decades. That means we’ve got quite a few insights into compliance training.

There’s a lot of information out there, often of varying quality, so in this article we'll explore the different levels of food hygiene training, the legal requirements, and practical steps to ensure your business stays compliant and safe. 

Posted 21/08/2024

What level of food hygiene do I need?

What are the requirements around food hygiene training?

Food hygiene is not just a legal requirement; it’s a fundamental aspect of running a successful food-related business. Poor food hygiene can lead to foodborne illnesses, which can have severe consequences for public health, including hospitalisation and, in extreme cases, death. Anyone who is preparing and serving food to customers needs to ensure that they have the right training in place.

Recently the number of reported Salmonella cases in England returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, increasing from 5,033 cases in 2021 to 8,125 cases in 2022.

Foodborne transmission of norovirus was estimated to account for just over 12% of all 3 million annual UK norovirus cases, with eating out responsible for 37% of those 380,000 cases. Additionally, poor hygiene practices can lead to food spoilage, financial loss, and a tarnished reputation for the businesses responsible. 

The recent E-Coli outbreak demonstrates perfectly how understanding and implementing proper food hygiene practices isn’t just about compliance; it’s also about protecting your customers, and protecting the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build. 

Legal Requirements

Food hygiene training is a legal requirement for anyone working in the food industry. It ensures that all food handlers understand the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards to prevent foodborne illnesses. In accordance with  the Food Safety Act 1990 and Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, it’s mandatory for food businesses to ensure that any staff handling food receive appropriate supervision and training in food hygiene. This training helps to make sure that they understand not only how to stay compliant when working with food, but also why it’s important to do so.

These regulations aim to protect public health by minimising the risk of food contamination and ensuring that food is safe for consumption. The level of training that your staff need to undertake will depend on their role and responsibilities; different levels of training are available for different roles, and it’s important to be sure you know which training your employees need.

So, what level of food hygiene do I need? 

Understanding the different levels of food hygiene training is essential to make sure you’re fully compliant, and that your venues maintain the high standards your customers expect and deserve. 

We often get asked, "What food hygiene course do I need?" To answer this question, let’s look at the three main levels of food hygiene training: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, and what they cover.

Level 1 

Overview:

Level 1 food hygiene training is designed to introduce the learner to the basic principles of food safety and hygiene. This is the ideal option for anyone who is new to an environment where food may be prepared, sold, served or stored, but won’t be responsible for any types of food preparation. This includes roles such as waiting staff, kitchen porters, food delivery drivers, front of house staff etc.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Introduction to Food Safety: Basic principles of food safety and why it is important.

  • Personal Hygiene: Proper handwashing techniques, the importance of clean clothing, and avoiding cross-contamination.

  • Cleaning and Disinfection: Basic cleaning procedures to maintain a hygienic environment.

  • Contamination and Prevention: Understanding how contamination occurs and ways to prevent it.

  • Basic Food Handling Practices: Safe handling and storage of food.

Who Needs It:

This level is ideal for new employees, part-time staff, or anyone working in a support role within the food industry. For example a waiter in a busy restaurant might not prepare food, but they still need to understand the basics of food hygiene to ensure they don’t inadvertently cause contamination while serving dishes. Similarly, a cleaner in a food establishment must know how to effectively clean areas where food is prepared or served to maintain hygiene standards.

Benefits:

  • Foundation Knowledge: Provides a solid foundation in food hygiene principles.

  • Compliance: Helps ensure that all staff meet basic legal requirements.

  • Customer Safety: Reduces the risk of cross-contamination, protecting customers from foodborne illnesses.

Level 2 

Overview:

Level 2 Food Hygiene training is more comprehensive, and is designed for individuals who handle food directly. This level of training is often referred to as the ‘basic food hygiene certificate’ and is essential for anyone working in a food preparation or catering role.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Food Safety Legislation: Understanding the legal requirements and responsibilities.

  • Hazards: Identifying and controlling microbiological risks in food.

  • Temperature Control: Proper methods for cooking, cooling, and storing food to prevent bacterial growth.

  • Personal Hygiene: Best practices for maintaining personal cleanliness and avoiding contamination.

  • Cleaning and Disinfection: Detailed procedures for effective cleaning and maintaining hygiene.

  • Pest Control: Identifying signs of pests and methods for preventing infestations.

  • Food Storage: Safe practices for storing different types of food.

Who Needs It:

This level is mandatory for chefs, cooks, kitchen assistants, and anyone involved in the preparation, cooking, or handling of food. When it comes to staff who are handling and preparing food, the answer to the question "Do I need a food hygiene certificate?" is an emphatic yes, especially at this level.

For example, a cook in a small café must understand how to store ingredients properly, cook food to the correct, safe temperatures, and maintain personal hygiene to avoid contamination. Similarly, a kitchen assistant needs to be aware of proper cleaning techniques to prevent cross-contamination.

Benefits:

  • Enhanced Knowledge: Provides a deeper understanding of food hygiene practices.

  • Improved Safety: Ensures safer food preparation and handling, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

  • Legal Compliance: Meets the legal requirements for food handlers, helping businesses avoid penalties.

Level 3 

Overview:

Level 3 Food Hygiene training is aimed at supervisors, managers, and business owners who are responsible for ensuring that food safety procedures are implemented and maintained. This level provides in-depth knowledge of food hygiene and safety management.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Legislation and Enforcement: Detailed understanding of food safety laws and enforcement mechanisms.

  • Food Safety Management Systems: Developing and maintaining effective food safety management systems (e.g., HACCP).

  • Supervisory Management: Skills for supervising staff and ensuring compliance with hygiene standards.

  • Microbiological Hazards: Advanced knowledge of microbiological risks and control measures.

  • Food Preservation: Techniques for preserving food safely.

  • Cleaning and Disinfection: Comprehensive procedures for maintaining high hygiene standards.

  • Pest Control: Advanced methods for preventing and managing pest infestations.

Who Needs It:

This level is ideal for head chefs, kitchen managers, and anyone with supervisory or managerial responsibilities in a food business. For staff in a managerial position, who are expected to have oversight of a kitchen environment, Level 3 Food Hygiene is essential training.

For example a head chef in a large restaurant must not only understand all aspects of food hygiene but also be able to supervise and train staff, ensuring that high standards are consistently met throughout the team. 

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Knowledge: Equips managers with the knowledge to oversee and implement effective food hygiene practices.

  • Staff Supervision: Provides skills for training and supervising staff, ensuring compliance across the team.

  • Enhanced Business Reputation: Helps maintain a high standard of food safety, enhancing the business's reputation and customer trust.

Ready To Start Your Journey To Food Safety Excellence?

In this article we’ve looked at why maintaining high food hygiene standards is essential for the success and reputation of any food business. We’ve discussed how understanding the different levels of food hygiene training, and ensuring that you and your staff are adequately trained, can help prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

We’ve explored the various levels of training, what they cover and who they’re designed for, which should help you to decide what level of training your staff need.

If you would like to explore your options for comprehensive food hygiene training courses, visit CPL Learning. Our courses are designed to meet the needs of various roles within the food industry, all the way to advanced Level 3 certification. 

Many people ask, "Can I do a food hygiene course online?" The answer is yes. Start your journey to food safety excellence today!