Do I Need Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene Training?

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 uniform 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 Training?

Level 1 training

Level 1 Food Safety training is for all staff who work in 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 identifying 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 training

Level 2 Food Safety online training 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 training

Level 3 Food Safety training 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.

Furthermore part of learning how to manage food safely is about understanding how to implement a food safety management system. Our HACCP level 2 training works alongside our food safety training courses and is suitable for all businesses that produce, handle, retail or distribute consumable products.

Food Safety Training Made Simple

Our Food Safety training courses have been created in line with the syllabus from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. Achieving high standards in food safety not only makes good business sense but also helps those businesses working with food to comply with the law.

Our Online Food Safety & Hygiene Training Courses provide instant certificates upon completion and give a 20 question multiple choice test at the end to test what you have learnt! You will also be able to show your commitment to The Food Hygiene Regulations 2006! Why not get started with a free trial today? You can also browse our full range of eLearning courses here.