Food safety course in Athlone
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Short answer
You can take our food safety and hygiene course online from anywhere in Athlone and get your certificate the same day, for €29 per person, VAT included. Irish law says food handlers must be supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene, but the FSAI says you do not necessarily have to attend a food safety training course: training can be in-house or on a course.[1] The FSAI does not run food hygiene or HACCP courses itself, and its advice on choosing a trainer says inspectors look at hygiene practices and staff knowledge rather than asking for one particular certificate.[2]
Who inspects food businesses in Athlone?
Food businesses such as restaurants, delis, shops, food stalls and mobile food businesses are typically inspected by the HSE's National Environmental Health Service, which works under a service contract with the FSAI.[3][4] Athlone sits on the River Shannon: the east side and some of the west bank are in County Westmeath (HSE Dublin and Midlands), and the rest of the west bank is in County Roscommon (HSE West and North West).[5][6] The local councils are Westmeath County Council and Roscommon County Council; the inspections themselves are typically done by the HSE.
- The HSE has its own Westmeath Athlone Environmental Health office, separate from the Westmeath Mullingar office.[7]
How do you register a new food business in Athlone?
By law, you must notify the HSE before you start operating a food business. You can do it online through the HSE's ehonline portal or through the local Environmental Health Office. There is no fee, each business is notified separately, and home-based food businesses must notify too.[8][9]
What food safety training do staff in Athlone need?
The FSAI's Guide to Food Safety Skills sets out three levels: Level 1 skills that staff should show within their first month, Level 2 skills within 3 to 12 months, and Level 3 skills for managers and supervisors.[1][10] Read our Ireland training guide for the full rules.
What happens if a food business fails an inspection?
An inspector can serve a closure order when there is, or is likely to be, a grave and immediate danger to public health, and a prohibition order when a particular food is a serious risk. The FSAI lists closure and improvement orders on its website for three months after they are lifted, and it reported 127 enforcement orders across Ireland in 2025.[11–13]
What does the course cover?
The Ireland version of the course uses Irish law, the FSAI's guidance, Irish temperature rules and the 14 allergens, with examples from Irish kitchens, cafés and shops.
Seven short modules with a quiz after each one, then a 30-question final exam (pass mark 21) with free retakes. The PDF certificate has a QR code so an employer or inspector can check it online. It confirms completion of training; it is not a regulated qualification.
How much does a food safety course cost in Athlone?
€29 per person, VAT included. Team packs for Athlone restaurants, cafés and shops: 10 learners €210, 25 learners €475, 50 learners €850 + VAT, with a manager dashboard and training records.
Other places in Leinster
See every county in Leinster or all of Ireland.
Sources
- Training – First Steps (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Choosing a Trainer (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Competent Authorities (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Health Service Executive National Environmental Health Service (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- HSE health regions (HSE, no date shown)
- Athlone (Wikipedia, checked 21 October 2026)
- Contact an Environmental Health office (HSE, no date shown)
- Notify the HSE about starting a food business (HSE, no date shown)
- Food Business Notification (HSE.ie, no date shown)
- FSAI Guide to Food Safety Skills (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Enforcement Powers (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Enforcement (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- 127 enforcement orders served on food businesses in 2025 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 13 January 2026)
Train your staff in 2–3 hours
Our Food Safety & Hygiene Level 2 course has seven short modules, a final exam and an instant certificate with QR verification.