What Level Food Hygiene Certificate Do I Need?
What Level Food Hygiene Certificate Do I Need?
Food business operators must ensure that their employees are supervised and given adequate training in food hygiene to guarantee the safety of their food to customers. Understanding what level of food safety training is required for each job role in the business will set minimum standards and provide uniformed training for all staff. The level of training will be dependent on the role and involvement with food.
How do I know if I need Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety Course?
Level 1 Course
Level 1 Food Safety course is for all staff who work in a food production or retail business and who handle low risk or wrapped foods. It gives the basic requirements of food safety and hygiene, such as keeping work areas clean, reducing contamination, and identifies key food safety issues.
Employees who might need level 1 include workers in the following roles:
- front of house employees such as waiters
- retail workers; check out assistants or stock replenishment staff
- back of house employees, such as kitchen porters
- warehouse staff
Level 2 course
Level 2 Food Safety course is required for anyone who works in a catering, manufacturing, or retail setting where food is prepared, cooked, and handled. This course gives an understanding of the importance of food safety and knowledge of safe practices and procedures. It gives an understanding of how to control food safety risks, like personal hygiene, storage, cooking, and handling and helps build confidence and expertise to deliver safe food to customers.
Employees who might need Level 2 include workers in the following industries:
- pubs, hotels, restaurants
- supermarkets and retail environments, for example, delis, and bakeries
- food and drink manufacturers
- hospitals
- care homes
- schools and nurseries
- prisons
Everyone who works with food has a special responsibility for safeguarding the health of consumers and to ensure that the food they sell is safe to eat.
Level 3 course
Level 3 Food Safety course is aimed at supervisors, managers, or business owners working in the food industry. As for Level 2 above, it would also apply in a variety of settings including catering, manufacturing, and retail but to those with a responsibility for a team of people.
Specific job roles requiring Level 3 could be:
- restaurant and café owners
- head chefs & kitchen managers
- landlords and pub owners
- supervisors or managers of fast-food outlets and takeaways
- supervisory food handlers
- business owners or general managers
This course gives an understanding of how to train staff in food safety as well as explaining the importance of food management systems to help the application of good food safety across the business.
Level 4 Course
Level 4 Food Safety course is also available, this is aimed at Quality assurance managers, Production Managers, Owners or Managers of large Food Businesses and hygiene auditors. Most businesses would not require a level 4 food hygiene certificate.
Ensuring that you know what Food hygiene training levels the staff in your business require is beneficial to both you and your staff, protects you and ensures that standards are maintained throughout the kitchen.
Need help choosing the right course for your staff? Give us a call on 01707 828 751, we are happy to help. Alternatively, you can browse our course catalogue and book your course online today.
