CART Do Food Handlers Need Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
Do Food Handlers Need a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate?
A common enough question, and the simple answer is that all food handlers need adequate and sufficient training to prevent the risk of consumers being harmed.
The Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is a fundamental training program that equips food handlers with the essential knowledge and skills to handle food safely and responsibly. This certification focuses on critical areas such as preventing cross-contamination, maintaining proper cleaning practices, and ensuring safe storage of food items
However, a food hygiene certificate isn’t a legal requirement, but employees in the food industry must have received adequate training to comply with food regulations. This means educating employees on safety topics such as proper food storage, cleaning protocols, and contamination prevention. A Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate not only fulfils these training requirements but also awards successful candidates with a certificate that proves they have undergone the training.
So, yes, food handlers need a food hygiene certificate. The level of the certificate required depends on a person's job role, and not all food handlers need a Level 2 food hygiene certificate. Here’s a breakdown of who needs what.
- Level 1 Food Hygiene: Typically suitable for those with limited contact with food, such as front-of-house staff handling pre-packaged goods or those in low-risk environments.
- Level 2 Food Hygiene: This is generally recommended for staff who prepare, cook, store, or serve open, unwrapped food. This includes kitchen staff, chefs, catering assistants, and many others in restaurants, cafes, hotels, and retail settings
- Level 3 Food Hygiene: Designed for supervisors and managers who are responsible for implementing and supervising food safety management systems.
The importance of training can't be stressed enough, as according to the NHS, food poisoning affects up to 5.5 million people in the UK every year.
