No, you do not normally need a food hygiene certificate to prepare or sell food in the UK. However, food handlers must be appropriately supervised, instructed and/or trained in food hygiene for the work they carry out.
A recognised food hygiene certificate is a useful way to demonstrate training, but it is not generally a legal requirement. GOV.UK guidance on food hygiene training confirms that food handlers do not have to hold a food hygiene certificate.
At a glance
If you work with food in the UK:
- You do not necessarily need a food hygiene certificate.
- You must have appropriate food hygiene knowledge for your role.
- Your employer must ensure you receive appropriate supervision, instruction and/or training.
- Training can include formal courses, on-the-job training, self-study and previous experience.
- Businesses should keep appropriate training records.
What food hygiene training is right for my role?
The right level of food hygiene training depends on your role and responsibilities. As a general guide:
| Role or situation | Recommended training |
|---|---|
| Employee working around food with limited food-handling responsibilities | Level 1 Food Hygiene may be suitable |
| Employee preparing, cooking, handling or serving food | Level 2 Food Hygiene is commonly appropriate |
| Chef or kitchen staff handling food | Level 2 Food Hygiene is commonly appropriate |
| Café, restaurant, pub, takeaway or catering staff handling food | Level 2 Food Hygiene is commonly appropriate |
| B&B owner or employee regularly preparing breakfast | Level 2 Food Hygiene is commonly appropriate |
| Home food business owner preparing or handling food | Level 2 Food Hygiene is commonly appropriate |
| Supervisor or manager responsible for food safety | Level 3 Food Hygiene is generally more appropriate |
| Business owner responsible for managing or supervising food safety | Level 3 Food Hygiene may be appropriate |
Note: These are general recommendations rather than universal legal requirements. Training should always be appropriate to the work a person carries out and their level of responsibility.
What does UK law require?
Food business operators must ensure that food handlers are supervised, instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters appropriate to the work they carry out. Those responsible for developing and maintaining HACCP-based procedures must also receive adequate training.
In practice, the level of training should reflect the person’s responsibilities. Someone serving packaged food may need different knowledge from a chef preparing high-risk foods or a manager responsible for food safety.
Does a food handler need a food hygiene certificate?
No. GOV.UK specifically states that food handlers do not have to hold a food hygiene certificate.
A food business must be able to demonstrate that employees have the right skills and up-to-date training for their roles.
Food safety knowledge can be gained through:
- A formal food hygiene course.
- On-the-job training.
- Self-study.
- Relevant previous experience.
Do I need a certificate to start a food business?
A formal food hygiene certificate is not generally compulsory simply because you are starting a food business.
GOV.UK guidance on starting a food business states that while a food hygiene certificate is not compulsory, obtaining a food hygiene qualification is recommended to improve your knowledge.
If you operate a food business, you have wider legal responsibilities. These may include:
- Registering the food business with your local authority.
- Ensuring food is safe.
- Implementing an appropriate food safety management system.
- Providing suitable staff training.
- Managing allergens.
- Maintaining good hygiene practices.
- Complying with food labelling and traceability requirements.
Food business registration is separate from food hygiene certification. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, food businesses generally need to register with their local authority at least 28 days before starting to trade. You can find further information in the Food Standards Agency’s food business registration guidance on GOV.UK.
Your food business may also be inspected by the local authority.
What level of food hygiene certificate do I need?
The appropriate level depends on the work you carry out and your level of responsibility.
Level 1 Food Hygiene
Level 1 Food Hygiene training may be suitable for employees who work around food but have limited food-handling responsibilities.
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Level 2 Food Hygiene training is commonly appropriate for employees who prepare, cook, handle or serve food. This includes staff working in hospitality, catering, education, care and food retail.
Level 3 Food Hygiene
Level 3 Food Hygiene training is generally more appropriate for supervisors, managers, business owners and people with responsibility for managing food safety.
It provides a deeper understanding of food safety management and can be particularly useful where someone supervises other food handlers.
Do I need a food hygiene certificate for a B&B?
If you run a bed and breakfast and prepare or serve food to guests, your food activities are subject to food safety requirements.
Someone regularly preparing breakfast will typically need food hygiene knowledge appropriate to food handling, while an owner or manager supervising food safety will require a more detailed understanding.
See our Level 2 Food Hygiene training and Level 3 Food Hygiene training courses for the training generally suited to these roles.
Do home food businesses need food hygiene training?
Running a food business from home does not remove your food safety responsibilities.
If you regularly sell or provide food from home as a business, you will generally need to register the business with your local authority and comply with relevant food safety requirements. The Food Standards Agency’s starting a food business guidance provides further information for home-based businesses.
Food handlers must still be appropriately trained or supervised, and the business must have suitable arrangements for managing food safety.
What about allergen training?
Food businesses also have important responsibilities relating to food allergies.
Employees should understand the allergen procedures relevant to their role, including how allergen information is communicated and how cross-contamination risks are managed.
The Food Standards Agency’s allergen guidance for food businesses states that food businesses must make sure staff receive allergen training.
i2Comply also provides an online Food Allergen Awareness training course to help food businesses and employees understand food allergens, allergic reactions, allergen information requirements and how to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Will I need to show evidence of training during an inspection?
A local authority officer may want to establish whether employees have appropriate food safety knowledge and whether the business is meeting its legal responsibilities.
GOV.UK recommends keeping a record of staff training so it can be shown during an inspection.
A recognised certificate can therefore provide useful evidence of formal training, even though holding one is not universally required by law.
Training records may also include:
- Induction training.
- On-the-job instruction.
- Formal courses.
- Refresher training.
Further information about what inspectors consider is available in the GOV.UK food inspections guidance.
What happens if food hygiene requirements are not followed?
Food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure that the food they provide is safe.
According to GOV.UK food hygiene guidance, if a food business is not safe, it could receive a low food hygiene rating, be closed down or face prosecution.
Training is only one part of food safety management, but ensuring employees understand and consistently follow appropriate food hygiene practices is an important element of compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a food hygiene certificate required by law in the UK?
No. Food handlers do not generally have to hold a formal food hygiene certificate. They must, however, be appropriately supervised, instructed and/or trained for the work they perform.
Do chefs need a food hygiene certificate?
Not necessarily. Chefs need food hygiene training appropriate to their responsibilities. Level 2 Food Hygiene is commonly appropriate for chefs who prepare and handle food.
Do waiters and serving staff need food hygiene training?
Yes, where appropriate to their responsibilities. Waiters and serving staff who handle or serve food need suitable food hygiene instruction, supervision and/or training. Level 2 Food Hygiene training is commonly appropriate where their role involves handling food.
Do I need Level 2 Food Hygiene to work with food?
Level 2 Food Hygiene training is commonly appropriate for people who prepare or handle food, but UK law does not universally state that every food handler must hold a Level 2 certificate.
Do I need a food hygiene certificate to sell food from home?
You do not generally need to hold a formal food hygiene certificate, but you must have appropriate food hygiene knowledge and comply with food safety requirements. If you regularly sell or provide food from home as a business, you will generally also need to register with your local authority. See the Food Standards Agency’s guidance on starting a food business.
Can food hygiene training be completed online?
Yes. Food hygiene knowledge can be developed through appropriate online learning as well as workplace instruction and other forms of training. What matters is that the training is suitable for the person’s role.
Does a food hygiene certificate expire?
There is no universal legal expiry date for food hygiene certificates in the UK. However, businesses must ensure that employees’ knowledge and training remain up to date. Read our guide to whether food hygiene training expires in the UK.
The key takeaway
A food hygiene certificate is not generally a legal requirement in the UK. Food handlers must, however, receive appropriate supervision, instruction and/or training for the work they carry out.
The right training depends on your responsibilities, with Level 2 commonly suited to food handlers and Level 3 generally more appropriate for supervisors and managers.
Get Your Food Hygiene Certificate Online
Whether you’re new to food handling, preparing food as part of your job, or responsible for managing food safety, i2Comply has an online food hygiene course to suit your role.
Our RoSPA-assured and CPD-certified food hygiene courses can be completed online at your own pace, helping you develop the knowledge needed to handle food safely and demonstrate appropriate training.
Choose from:
- Level 1 Food Hygiene – introductory food hygiene awareness.
- Level 2 Food Hygiene – ideal for people who prepare, handle or serve food.
- Level 3 Food Hygiene – designed for supervisors, managers and those responsible for food safety.
Choose the right food hygiene course for your role and start your training online today.