Food safety, hygiene and allergen training

To comply with food safety law, food business operators must ensure all food handlers, supervisors and those managing food safety are adequately trained in food safety and hygiene.

Food business operators must also ensure that all food handlers, supervisors, managers and anyone taking food orders receives allergen training.

Training levels

Training must be at a level commensurate with their role and level of responsibility. As a general rule:

• food handlers should have:training to RSPH/CIEH Level 2 standard in Food Safety and Hygiene
• supervisors and managers should have training to at least RSPH/CIEH Level 3 standard in Food Safety and Hygiene

Online courses

Online courses are available from a number of external providers. The following list is not exhaustive and we do not endorse or recommend any particular provider:

• Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
• Nationwide Caterers Association
• High Speed Training
• Virtual College

You can also access free food allergy and intolerance online training by the Food Standards Agency.

Demonstrating and maintaining compliance

To evidence training has been completed, candidates must keep copies of their certificates.

To ensure that food handlers maintain an up to date understanding of food safety and hygiene standards, we strongly recommend that training is refreshed at least once every three years.