The hygiene regulations require that all food handlers working in a food business are supervised or trained in food hygiene relevant to their work.

As a guide, all food handlers who prepare open, high risk foods should have formal training. This takes the form of food hygiene courses, which are available at Levels 1,2, 3 and 4.

• Level 1 - is aimed at those new to the workplace who require a simple overview of food hygiene before starting work or as part of an induction programme.
• Level 2 - (formerly basic/foundation) is the minimum requirement for those who prepare and handle open food (e.g. chefs, cooks, kitchen assistants, home caterers or mobile catering businesses)
• Level 3 - (formerly intermediate) is aimed at business owners and managers or supervisors of small and medium sized catering operations.
• Level 4 - (formerly advanced) is aimed at managers of larger catering premises or where complex food handling operations are carried on.

Level 2 Food Hygiene Training

Food businesses must make sure that any staff who handle open food are instructed and/or trained in food hygiene in a way that is appropriate for the work they do. The person or people responsible for developing and maintaining the business's procedures must have received adequate training to enable them to do this.

There is no legal requirement to attend a formal training course or obtain a qualification, although many businesses may want their staff to do so. The necessary skills could also be obtained in other ways, such as through on-the-job training, self-study or relevant prior experience. However, if during a food hygiene inspection food handlers are found to have inadequate food hygiene knowledge, the inspector will require them to receive instruction and/or training.

The following website can help direct you to reputable training centres and online courses.

• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health - Environmental health training and courses
• Royal Society for Public Health UK - Qualifications and training

Larger groups - Level 1 Award in Food safety

If you have 20 or more staff or have staff where the Level 1 or Level 2 Award in Catering is more appropriate, for example front of house staff or nursery staff then we can quote to run a course at your premises.

Contact us

Food and Safety
Regulatory Services Partnership
Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX

Tel: 020 8545 3025
foodandsafety@merton.gov.uk