Food hygiene certificate in Northern Ireland
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Short answer
Northern Ireland has 11 councils that inspect food businesses. Our Level 2 food hygiene course is online, so it works anywhere in Northern Ireland, for £12 per person. Food handlers do not have to hold a food hygiene certificate.[1] The food business must make sure its food handlers are supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene in line with their work.[2]
Which cities in Northern Ireland have their own page?
Which council inspects food businesses in Northern Ireland?
The council for the area where the premises are. These are the 11 councils in Northern Ireland, with the number of food businesses each one has in the FSA's open data:[8]
| Authority | Food businesses listed |
|---|---|
| Antrim and Newtownabbey | 1,102 |
| Ards and North Down | 1,293 |
| Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon | 1,901 |
| Belfast City | 3,178 |
| Causeway Coast and Glens | 1,473 |
| Derry City and Strabane | 1,362 |
| Fermanagh and Omagh | 1,446 |
| Lisburn and Castlereagh City | 924 |
| Mid Ulster | 1,389 |
| Mid and East Antrim | 1,178 |
| Newry, Mourne and Down | 1,736 |
Which food hygiene rating applies in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland uses the 0 to 5 Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, run by councils with the FSA.[3][4] In Northern Ireland, food businesses must by law display their rating sticker at or near each entrance (Food Hygiene Rating Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, section 7, and the Food Hygiene Rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016).[3][5][6]
How do you register a new food business in Northern Ireland?
Food businesses must register with their local council at least 28 days before trading or before food operations start, including when they take over an existing business.[7]
What does the course cover for Northern Ireland?
The UK version of the course covers Northern Ireland: the 0 to 5 rating that businesses must display by law, and Safe Catering, the FSA's food safety pack for Northern Ireland.
£12 per person (£10 + VAT per person), with team packs from £95 + VAT for 10 learners. The certificate confirms completion of training; it is not a regulated qualification.
See all UK locations or read the UK training guide.
Sources
- Running a food business: Staff training, illness and hygiene (GOV.UK, updated 30 January 2025)
- Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Annex II, Chapter XII (Training) (legislation.gov.uk, revised version, last amended 31 December 2020)
- Food hygiene rating scheme (Food Standards Agency, no date shown)
- Food hygiene rating scheme (GOV.UK, no date shown)
- Food Hygiene Rating Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, section 7 (legislation.gov.uk, as enacted)
- The Food Hygiene Rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (legislation.gov.uk, as made)
- Register a food business (Food Standards Agency, no date shown)
- Food hygiene rating scheme open data (Food Standards Agency, data file dated 21 October 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.