Online Level 1 Food Safety Certificate Course

Course last updated: Feb 2024

For just £4.99, you can gain a nationally recognised certificate with HSE Docs' Level 1 Food Safety course. This course is ideal for anyone who handles pre-packaged foods and uncooked fruits and vegetables.

We offer incredibly competitive pricing options designed to meet every customer's needs. You can purchase a single course for just £9.99, or if you want to buy in bulk, you can enjoy even more significant savings. For orders of 10 courses or more, the price drops to just £6.49 per course. And if you’re looking to stock up, our bulk order rate of just £4.99 per course is the perfect solution for orders of 50 or more. With our pricing options, you can access high-quality courses at unbeatable prices.

Course duration: Between 1 ½ and 2 ½ hrs depending on learning speed.

Course format: Three video training modules, with a multiple-choice section at the end of each module.

Entry Requirements: Anyone can complete this course, whether they have previous experience or not.

This course suits you If you do not directly handle high-risk foods, such as shellfish, prawns, crabs, cooked meat, and poultry, or any unwrapped food except for fruit and vegetables.

For instance, employees who work in bars, food banks, front-of-house employees, retail stores, and food delivery drivers and riders.

Suppose you work in a cafe, chip shop, restaurant, fast food outlet, mobile catering unit, hotel kitchen, hospital kitchen, school kitchen, college kitchen, or outdoor cooking event. In that case, you must complete a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate.

Upon completing your online food safety course, your training certificate will be valid for three years. Local authorities and environmental health officers recognise it and count towards your food hygiene rating.

All successful candidates are entered on the national training register, and employers or others can verify certificates to prove they are genuine by clicking Validate a Certificate and typing in the certificate number.

Download a free food hygiene poster for your workplace here.

Overview of HSE Docs Level 1 Food Safety Certificate Course

Our Level 1 Online Food Safety course adheres to the current national curriculum.

Our Level 1 Online Food Safety course, aligned with the current national curriculum, equips you not just with theoretical knowledge but also with practical insights. It covers the essentials for a level-one food handler and enlightens you on how food can potentially become unsafe before packaging or serving. However, please note that the questions at the end of each module pertain only to the handling of prepackaged goods, fruits, and vegetables, ensuring you focus on the most relevant aspects of food safety.

The learning topics covered in this HSE course include:

  • Personal and workspace hygiene.
  • Risk assessment and control measures.
  • Temperature control and its importance.
  • Cross-contamination risks.
  • Food hazards and how to avoid them.

Personal and workspace hygiene emphasises the significance of cleanliness and the potential repercussions of not meeting the required standards to ensure food safety

The section on risk assessments explains how and why risks should be evaluated within a food environment and how to implement control measures to lessen or eradicate them.

The section of the course that discusses the importance and relevance of temperature control in storing or cooking highlights that it is a precise science. It must be strictly followed to prevent potential risks if overlooked.

The potential for food poisoning to rear its ugly head due to cross-contamination between different foodstuffs is a very real threat. Our course tackles this issue head-on, providing you with comprehensive knowledge and strategies to prevent such scenarios.

The final section deals with avoiding hazards using HACCP (Hazard, Analysis, Critical, Control, Point) to record, monitor, and reduce probable risks.

Local authorities recognise our Level 1 online Food Safety certificate, Environmental Health Officers and counts towards your Hygiene Rating, which you can find out more about in our blog - ‘Your Guide To Food Hygiene Ratings.’

  • Instant access and ongoing support throughout your HSEcourse
  • Conforms to UK and EU legal requirements.
  • 24/7 online access to level 1 Food Safety course materials.
  • Food Safety course content is accessible on all devices, including mobiles and tablets.
  • 85% first-time pass rate.
  • Unlimited access to the training material and free resits if you fail any of the Level 1 Food Safety modules.
  • Certificate of Training available as an instant download upon successful completion of the Online Level 1 Food Safety Course.

Suppose you work in the retail or hospitality industry and are involved in the handling and preparation of food. In that case, you must possess a Level 1 Food Safety Certificate. This certification indicates that you have the necessary knowledge and understanding about the proper procedures for handling food and maintaining a safe environment for its preparation. Our exclusive food safety training program offers comprehensive training on the basic principles of good practices and is available on all platforms for your convenience. Our flexible training program allows you to learn at your own pace, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule. The Level 1 Food Safety online course provides an easy-to-follow format suitable for all learners, presenting the fundamental principles and learning objectives clearly and concisely. During the course, candidates will understand the fundamental importance of maintaining food safety and the best practices for ensuring this, including the proper handling, storage, and preparation of food.

The Level 1 Food Safety online course presents principals and learning objectives in an easy-to-follow manner suitable for all learners. Candidates will learn about the importance of:

  • Understanding best food handling practices, identify hygiene hazards, and implement control measures.
  • Understanding safe storage temperatures, cooking temperatures, and which temperatures and conditions fall in the danger zone.
  • Understanding the importance of personal and workstation hygiene.
  • Understanding the industry regulations about preparing, cooking, and handling food safety.
  • Understanding the legal obligations of food handlers.
  • Understanding contamination and food poisoning.
  • Understanding waste management, pest control and safe working environments.
  • Understanding how and why the correct cleaning process should be carried out.

The HSEDocs Food Safety certificate course is specifically tailored for individuals who work in hospitality or retail industries and have responsibilities related to food handling. This course is designed to meet employers' and employees' legal training requirements. Our comprehensive online Food Safety training program includes all the necessary food safety and hygiene information and provides a nationally recognised certificate upon completion. By the end of the course, individuals will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to fulfil their legal obligations and maintain high standards of food safety.

The learning objectives covered in this training include:

  • Personal and workspace hygiene.
  • Risk assessment and control measures.
  • Temperature control and its importance.
  • Cross-contamination risks.
  • Hazards and how to avoid them.

In the food industry, it has become mandatory to have staff who possess the Level 1 Food Safety certificate. This certificate clearly indicates that your staff has received the most up-to-date training in food safety, which is essential for any food establishment. Obtaining this certificate is not only a legal obligation for your company, but it also ensures the safety of your customers and contributes to your company's FSE rating, which measures how well your establishment is doing concerning food safety.

Food safety training is an essential aspect of any food service operation. Its primary objective is to meet regulatory requirements and ensure that all employees have a comprehensive understanding of the food safety course material and are fully aware of their responsibilities and duties when handling and preparing food items. This training is crucial in preventing foodborne illnesses, maintaining the quality of food products, and protecting the health and well-being of customers. It covers various topics, including food storage, handling, preparation, and sanitation practices, and emphasises the importance of proper hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace. By providing practical food safety training, businesses can ensure that their employees have the knowledge and skills to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

Upon completion of this HSE Docs Food Safety course, you will gain full competency in:

  • Best practices to use and implement when handling food.
  • Identify hygiene hazards and implement relevant control measures, including HACCP. Please learn more about HACCP's importance in one of our recent food safety blogs.
  • Understanding the reason for safe temperature controls for storage and cooking
  • Knowing how to avoid foods in the temperature danger zone and why they should be avoided.
  • Understanding the importance of personal and workstation hygiene and hygiene controls.
  • Knowing the industry regulations about handling food safely.
  • Understanding how and what food poisoning and contaminants are and the effect these can have on consumers.
  • Understanding the importance of hygiene concerning waste management, pest control and safe working environments.Understanding the importance of hygiene with respect to waste management, pest control and safe working environments.
  • Understanding their moral and legal responsibilities to the employer and consumer, including when to undertake risk assessments.

After completing the Level 1 Food Safety course, you will be issued a certificate generally considered valid for three years. Although there is no legal expiration date for this training, it is highly recommended that you renew your certificate every few years to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and best practices in the food safety industry. This will help you maintain your knowledge and skills and demonstrate your commitment to providing safe and healthy food to your customers.

The duration of a food safety course can vary based on several factors, such as the level of the course, the chosen provider, and the course format. For instance, our level 1 Food Safety program offers a comprehensive online course that typically takes 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours to complete. However, if you prefer face-to-face training or higher-level courses, the duration may be longer than that. It's essential to remember that the duration of a food safety course can vary based on different factors, so choosing a course that suits your specific requirements is necessary.

The amount of food safety training you need will be based on various factors, primarily your job responsibilities and daily duties. This aligns with EC Regulation 852, which specifies that your food safety training should match your job role. We've created a helpful guide to help you determine the level of food safety training required in a work setting.

Food Hygiene Level Guide
Front of House & Wait Staff Level 1
Porter & Assistants Level 1
Line Cooks Level 2
Kitchen Managers & Supervisors Level 3
Restaurant Owners or Ops Managers Level 4

Booking a food safety course from us is similar to shopping at most online retailers. You can add the course to your cart and then proceed to checkout. If you already have an account with us, you will be prompted to log in before purchasing. However, if this is your first time using our platform, you must provide your personal information, which will register you for an account once the purchase is complete.

Your account will enable you to track individual candidates' course progress, store their certificates, and view your purchase history.

The admin panel offers several viewing options. You can view ALL COURSES, AVAILABLE COURSES, IN PROGRESS courses, and EXPIRED COURSES.

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Contact Our Food Health & Safety Experts

We are always happy to help here at HSE Docs, so if you have any questions or concerns about the online Food Hygiene course or any other HSE Docs online training queries, please give us a quick call.

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