Level 1, 2 or 3
Which food hygiene level do I need?
If you prepare, cook or serve food, Level 2. If you supervise or run the kitchen, Level 3. Level 2 costs £12 per person.
The law does not set the levels: it asks for training in line with each person's work.
The levels in one minute
- Level 1: usually for people who handle only wrapped or low-risk food, or work near food without preparing it. We do not offer Level 1.
- Level 2: for anyone who prepares, cooks or serves food. Chefs, cooks, kitchen and bar staff, care workers, childminders, home bakers, street food.
- Level 3: for supervisors, head chefs, managers and owners who train staff, run the food safety plan and check records.
- Allergen awareness: for everyone who prepares, serves or sells food, alongside Level 2 or Level 3.
Prices
| Course | Price |
|---|---|
| Food Safety & Hygiene Level 2 (Catering) | £12 (£10 + VAT) |
| Level 2 + allergen awareness | £18 |
| Food Safety Supervision Level 3 (Catering) | £30 (£25 + VAT) |
| Food Allergen Awareness (Catering), on its own | £9.60 |
By job
- Food hygiene certificate for childminders and nursery staff
- Food hygiene certificate for care workers
- Food hygiene certificate for home bakers and people selling food from home
- Food hygiene certificate for street food and market traders
- Food hygiene certificate for volunteers, food banks and charities
- Do you need a food hygiene certificate in the UK? What the law says
Frequently asked questions
Which food hygiene level do I need to work in a kitchen?
Level 2 is the usual choice for anyone who prepares, cooks or serves food: chefs, cooks, kitchen assistants, café, pub and takeaway staff. The law does not name a level; your employer decides what training fits your job.
Is Level 1 enough?
Level 1 is usually meant for people who only handle wrapped or low-risk food, or who work near food without preparing it, such as some front-of-house staff and kitchen porters. If you prepare or serve open food, Level 2 is the usual level. HygieneReady does not offer a Level 1 course.
Who needs Level 3?
Supervisors, head chefs, kitchen managers and owners who set up and check food safety for others. Our Food Safety Supervision Level 3 (Catering) course costs £30 per person (£25 + VAT).
Are the levels set by law?
No. UK food law requires food handlers to be supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene in line with their work. Level 1, 2 and 3 are names training providers use, and our certificates confirm completion of training; they are not regulated qualifications.
Do I need a separate allergen course?
Our Level 2 course already has a full module on the 14 allergens. The separate allergen awareness course goes further, including Natasha's Law, and costs £6 when added to Level 2 (£18 in total) or £9.60 on its own.