Food Safety FAQs

Yes, as long as your kitchen meets the necessary hygiene requirements and you have a food hygiene certificate. You can use your home as a base for making and selling food as long as you register your home with your local authority and let them know you intend to use your home as business premises.

While food hygiene certificates do not have an expiry date, it is recommended that you renew it every three years.

No, a food hygiene certificate is only required if you intend to sell food. However, if you plan to give away food to family, friends or charity events, good hygiene levels must be maintained.

If you are making and selling food from home, it is not compulsory to obtain or display a food hygiene rating.

Not all food businesses need a food hygiene certificate to sell food at present. However, food safety training must be evident in staff who handle food in retail, catering or manufacturing environments. Environmental health officers may ask to see proof of this.

Yes, food hygiene training is a legal requirement for anyone that works with food.

Food law states that all food handlers receive appropriate food safety and food hygiene training and supervision in the workplace. There are different codes of practice and regulations governing everything from food production and preparation to its packaging and distribution.

The Food Safety Act 1990 is the legal framework for all food legislation in Britain. It's designed to ensure that food handlers do not add anything to food or remove anything from it, or treat it in a way that could damage a person's health after consumption. It also states that the way food is sold, served, labelled and advertised meets the quality that customers expect.

Food handlers are required by law to make sure that food is safe for human consumption. The law states that food handlers must report to their supervisor if they have a fever, diarrhoea, have vomited, have a facial sore or any form of facial discharge or have a foodborne illness themselves. It is also food handlers' legal responsibility to prevent their hair, nails, jewellery or any plasters from contaminating food.

Not all food handlers are legally required to have a food hygiene certificate. However, EU Regulation 852/2004 states that food businesses have to ensure any staff who handle food are supervised properly and receive food hygiene training.

The Level 2 Food Hygiene Course used to be known as the basic food hygiene certificate. Today, Level 1 is an introductory food safety course for people who are beginning to cook at home, while Level 3 is the qualification that food supervisors and managers need

Food hygiene certificates can easily be obtained via an online e-learning course. You'll find courses tailored specifically to different sectors like catering and retail, but the Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate fits the general legal requirements for food handlers.

You can obtain a food hygiene certificate easily through an online training course. A level 2 food hygiene certificate fits the legal requirement for food handlers, and often you can find courses that are specific for your line of work including catering, retail, manufacturing or drinks manufacturing.

While food hygiene certificates do not technically run out, it is best practice to get them renewed every three years. Some employers require their staff to do this every year as part of their training, often as part of a food hygiene e-learning course..

Food hygiene certificates do not expire, but some employers - such as the NHS - require them to be renewed every 12 months. However, it is recognised industry practice for them to be renewed every three years, so that food handlers can keep up to date with the latest legislation.

The Level 2 Food Hygiene Course used to be known as the basic food hygiene certificate. Today, Level 1 is an introductory food safety course for people who are beginning to cook at home, while Level 3 is the qualification that food supervisors and managers need

The Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate meets the legal obligations for food handlers, while managers and food supervisors need to undertake Level 3 food safety training. Level 1 is much more basic and is designed for people to use in their own homes. Different industries might require their food handlers to undergo specialist training too, and there are e-learning courses specifically for the catering, drinks, retail and manufacturing sectors.

While food hygiene certificates do not expire, it is recommended that you renew the qualification every three years to keep your knowledge up to date.

A level 2 food hygiene certificate is required to satisfy a food handler’s legal obligation for food safety training. However, if you are going to be responsible for other staff at your premises, you will need to ensure that you, or any supervisors are trained to level 3.

Although the Level 1 Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate is aimed at home cooks, selling what you prepare is different. You will need to contact your local authority's environmental health service to arrange a safety and hygiene inspection at your property. Then, a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate will be required to show that you know how to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses by keeping your home and equipment hygienic.

Food hygiene and food safety refer to the steps food handlers need to take to make sure food is processed, stored, distributed, transported and prepared without any risk to consumers' health.

Food handlers and food businesses are responsible for the safety of the food that they provide to consumers. Their responsibilities include ensuring food is safe for consumption, and that its quality meets expectations. Food also needs to be labelled and advertised in a way that is not misleading, especially where allergies and intolerances are concerned

If food is not prepared in a hygienic way, it may be unsafe for consumption and could increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. Good food hygiene is important for your business and its reputation, as well as the health of your customers. It's therefore vital to ensure all staff have received food hygiene training.

A thorough understanding of food safety is essential for food handlers to demonstrate food hygiene best practice, to prevent risk of contamination or foodborne illnesses.