Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely. The person responsible for developing and maintaining the business’s food safety management procedures must have received adequate training to enable them to do this.
In the UK food handlers do not have to hold a food hygiene certificate to prepare or sell food, although many food businesses will prefer that they do. The necessary skills may be obtained through on-the-job training, self-study or relevant prior experience.
Training providers
You can find out more about suitable courses by contacting the food team, or through the local library, further education college or by contacting one of the awarding bodies for food safety.
Food hygiene refresher
UK food hygiene certificates don’t have an expiry date. It is left to the discretion of the food business operator or inspecting officer to decide whether a refresher course is needed. This may be a result of changes to legislation or technological developments in food hygiene.
Other training
These are some of the resources produced by the Agency that businesses may find useful for training staff:
- Safer food, better business
- Food hygiene training videos
- Food allergy online training
- Vacuum packing training online