Why is food hygiene training important?

Food hygiene training provides individuals with the requisite knowledge and skills to ensure high standards of cleanliness and safety are maintained. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), over 2 million foodborne illnesses occur every year in the UK. It’s also estimated that 380,000 cases of norovirus linked to food occur in the UK each year. By not implementing proper food hygiene practices, food businesses are putting customers at risk of contracting a foodborne illness, should the worst happen. This could lead to legal action against you and may even result in closure. Employees in any food-related business can help reduce this risk by completing one of our many food hygiene courses. These will teach staff the best ways to handle food safely and effectively. The FSA has identified numerous risks regarding food handling including cross-contamination, allergens, foreign objects in food, and maintaining personal hygiene standards. Our online food hygiene training courses provide employees with the knowledge they need to help protect themselves and their customers against these risks. Check out our blog post and explore more about how poor food hygiene can impact your business .

How do I get my food hygiene certificate?

Select a course from our bundle, purchase and complete the course and receive your certificate upon course completion. You can download this certificate as a PDF or print it off.

Do I need a food hygiene certificate to sell food from home? What if I’m not a registered business?

No, if you’re selling food on a small scale or ad-hoc basis then you do not legally require food safety training. However, if you are a registered business then you will be required to undertake training.

What is the legislation that covers Food Hygiene?

Businesses must adhere to the regulations set out in the Food Safety Act 1990, the Food Standards Act 1999, and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006. More recently, businesses have had to consider the impact of the Food Information Amendment Regulation (also commonly referred to as ‘Natasha’s Law’) on their business.

Who can undertake a food hygiene course?

Our food hygiene training is aimed at anybody involved in producing, preparing and handling food. This includes kitchen assistants, cleaners, delicatessen staff, warehouse workers, chefs, and anyone else who handles, cooks, prepares, or sells food products.

Is it mandatory to take a food hygiene course?

If you are involved in the preparation, handling or serving of food, then a food hygiene course is essential. Chefs, cooks, servers, kitchen porters, and any individual working in a catering environment should undertake food hygiene training to ensure best practices are maintained.

What are the best practices for maintaining food hygiene standards?

Best practices for maintaining food hygiene standards include: Good personal hygiene Regular handwashing Cleaning and sanitising all equipment and work surfaces Effective pest control measures Adequate staff training Our range of food hygiene courses explores all this and much more in great detail

Do food handlers need to demonstrate a valid food hygiene certificate?

To ensure compliance with food hygiene regulations, it is essential that you can demonstrate a valid food hygiene certificate if you are classified as a business that handles food. You will need to ensure your business food hygiene certificate is renewed on a yearly basis. Discover more about renewing your food hygiene certificate here .

What are the benefits of food hygiene training for my business?

Food hygiene training provides several benefits for your business which includes: Compliance with food safety regulations Reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses Boost the reputation of your business Align your workforce with a collective knowledge of food safety measures Enhance customer trust

Should I consider frequent refresher training for food hygiene?

Often, there are developments in the industry that mean slight changes to certain practices. Therefore, carrying out refresher training periodically ensures any knowledge gaps are closed and your business is aligned in knowing what to expect.

Are there any benefits to undertaking a food hygiene course online?

With our online food hygiene training, you can learn all there is to know about food and hygiene at your own pace! There are no timed assessments or restrictions, develop your knowledge at a time and place that suits you, with the convenience of our tailored online training delivery.

What topics are covered in iHasco’s food hygiene courses?

Across our Level 1 and Level 2 online food hygiene courses, we cover many topics that will equip you and your employees with all the information you need to develop your food hygiene knowledge including: Good and bad safety standards Food hazards and food poisoning How to store food safely Cleaning do’s and dont’s PPE and personal hygiene

How long does an online food hygiene course typically take to complete?

Each one of our tailored food hygiene courses is simple, easy to navigate and can be completed online at your own pace. The Level 1 Food Hygiene course has a 50-minute duration. Our Level 2 course is slightly longer at 70 minutes, with the Level 3 supervisors course the most substantial course we offer, with a 180-minute duration time. Each course has a multiple-choice questions assessment at the end, where you can download your printable food hygiene certificate upon completion.

Are food hygiene certificates internationally recognised?

Food hygiene certificates are generally recognised internationally, but specific recognition may vary by country or region. It’s important to check the requirements and recognition of the food hygiene certificate for the jurisdiction where you will be operating your business.

Do food hygiene courses cover allergen management?

Our dedicated food allergy training course provides you with an in-depth understanding of identifying allergens and the dangers they pose. This course will educate individuals on identifying allergens, preventing cross-contamination, proper labelling of allergenic ingredients, and providing accurate allergen information to customers. Discover more about allergens in our dedicated blog post here.

Are there different levels of food hygiene training available?

We offer a range of introductory courses designed to equip your employees with both a basic and thorough understanding of food hygiene. We also provide intermediate courses a Level 3 food hygiene training course for managers and supervisors, or those seeking in-depth knowledge of food safety management systems.

What are the consequences of not having proper food hygiene training?

Without proper food hygiene training, your business is susceptible to risk which can lead to serious consequences. These include foodborne illnesses, customer complaints, legal penalties, damage to reputation, business closure, and financial losses. Undergoing food hygiene training is essential for maintaining the health and safety of consumers.

Do food hygiene courses cover safe storage and handling practices?

You’ll learn everything there is about safely storing food and the most effective handling practices to follow. This includes proper storage temperatures, how to rotate stock efficiently, avoiding cross-contamination during handling, and maintaining clean and organised storage areas. Our free food safety and hygiene white paper is a great starting point for more insight into how to store and handle food correctly. You’ll learn everything there is about safely storing food and the most effective handling practices to follow. This includes proper storage temperatures, how to rotate stock efficiently, avoiding cross-contamination during handling, and maintaining clean and organised storage areas. Our free food safety and hygiene white paper is a great starting point for more insight into how to store and handle food correctly.

Are there any government regulations regarding food hygiene training?

Generally, food handlers should be trained to a minimum of Level 2 in Food Safety and Hygiene. If you are a supervisor or manager, you should be trained to at least Level 3 in supervising Food Safety and Hygiene. An environmental health officer can request evidence relating to the status of all staff who handle food when visiting your business.

Are there specific food hygiene courses for managers and supervisors?

Yes, our Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene Training course is designed for supervisors, managers and food business owners. It provides a focus on the importance of managing food hygiene and understanding your responsibilities as a supervisor or employer. Other areas our Level 3 course explores include: Bacteria and illnesses Employee personal hygiene Cross-contamination Disinfection You will need to complete both Levels 1 & 2 to be eligible for the Level 3 course.

Are iHasco’s food hygiene courses suitable for small catering businesses?

Yes, our food hygiene course offerings are designed to benefit any person and business that works with food daily, regardless of how big or small your operation is. All of our food hygiene courses are tailored to help ensure your business meets compliance requirements, providing valuable knowledge and skills to help enhance your understanding of safe food handling practices.

Do you provide any additional resources to support ongoing development upon completion of a food hygiene training course?

You can find a range of free resources on our website, ready for you to browse at any time, either during or after the completion of your course. We have an extensive catalogue of blogs that provide a great basis for developing your knowledge of food hygiene. We also have a range of free downloadable resources, such as our Food Hygiene Self Inspection Checklist, a handy document that you can refer back to at anytime! Our wonderful customer support team are also on hand to assist you with any queries or advice you may need.

Can food hygiene training contribute to a positive customer experience?

Food hygiene is arguably the most important thing to a consumer. Both new and existing customers require reassurance that your food business is safe, clean and healthy. Customers value establishments that prioritise food safety, and if you can implement the practices learnt during your food hygiene course, this will lead to increased trust and confidence in your business and only serve to enhance your reputation in the industry.

Food Hygiene Courses - IOSH & IIRSM Approved

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 HACCP Level 2

WHY CHOOSE IHASCO?

Engaging, animated courses that hold learners attention
Instant printable certificates provided
Huge discounts when you buy in bulk
Trusted by over 10,000 UK organisations
Rated ‘Excellent’ online
Easily work towards compliance with UK legislation

Approved for your reassurance

Food Hygiene Level 1 Training Course

Our Food Hygiene Level 1 course is essential for anyone who works where food is made, sold, or served. This online course covers basics on how to properly handle consumables such as food contamination, allergies and bacteria, safety standards, and cleaning. This IOSH Approved Food Safety and Hygiene Level 1 provides a printable certificate upon completion, which demonstrates to customers that you take food safety and hygiene seriously.

50m

Health & Safety

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Food Hygiene Level 2 Training Course

Our food hygiene level 2 online course provides an in-depth understanding of food hygiene regulations; food safety hazards (and avoiding food poisoning); personal hygiene; cleanliness; food storage and temperatures and cross-contamination hazards with food. This IOSH-approved level 2 food hygiene course is expertly designed to help caterers, chefs, hospitality staff and other food handlers improve their food hygiene practices and remain compliant with UK legislation. We also offer a complete food hygiene training course bundle.

65m

Health & Safety

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Food Hygiene Level 3 Training Course

This IIRSM & RoSPA-approved Food Hygiene Level 3 course is aimed at supervisors, managers, or business owners working in the food industry. It identifies key areas within food safety and hygiene, allowing problems to be identified and resolved with the ultimate aim of ensuring good practices throughout the whole business. This course matches the CIEH syllabus and meets UK/EU legal requirements.

175m

Health & Safety

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HACCP Training Level 2

Our HACCP Level 2 training course is essential for professionals working in the hospitality and retail industry, or anyone else that produces, handles, retail or distributes consumable products. Businesses are legally required to implement HACCP as a food safety management system. Our Level 2 HACCP training course provides an in-depth insight into the framework for monitoring food throughout its entire life cycle, UK legislation, the 12 stages of HACCP, and more.

30m

Health & Safety

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Food Allergy Awareness Training

This Food Allergy Awareness Training is an essential piece of training for those producing, selling or handling food. All staff handling food should have a thorough understanding of allergens and the potential dangers surrounding them. This course also includes the requirements for pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) food labelling legislation changes that come into effect on the 1st October 2021 (Also known as Natasha's law).

35m

Health & Safety

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Our team of experts

We’ve helped thousands of UK businesses easily work towards compliance with UK food safety legislation.

My team has helped all types and sizes of food manufacturers, retailers and other food businesses work towards compliance through our straightforward, cost effective training solution. Get in touch today and we can help you too!