Online Courses FAQs

Food Law

Being compliant with the latest food laws is essential to build customer confidence and business safety.

• Can I make and sell food from home?

  Yes, as long as your kitchen meets the necessary hygiene requirements and you have a food hygiene certificate. You can use your home as a base for making and selling food, as long as you register your home as a food business with your local authority and let them know you intend to use your home as business premises.

  Our 'Starting a Food Business From Home' guide covers everything you need to know.

• Do food hygiene certificates expire?

  While food hygiene certificates do not have an expiry date, it is recommended that you renew it every three years.

• Do I need a food hygiene certificate to give food away?

  No, a food hygiene certificate is only required if you intend to sell food. However, if you plan to give away food to family, friends or charity events, good hygiene levels must be maintained.

  Learn more about food hygiene certificates with our blog.

• Do I need a food hygiene rating?

  Within England, Wales and Northern Ireland, food businesses that sell directly to the public from their premises will typically be awarded a Food Hygiene Rating when they have their routine Food Hygiene inspection from the local authority. Provided a business is registered as a food business with the local authority, the local authority will issue a Food Hygiene Rating where required.

• Do you need a food hygiene certificate to sell food?

  Not all food businesses need a food hygiene certificate to sell food at present. However, food safety training must be evident in staff who handle food in retail, catering or manufacturing environments. Environmental health officers may ask to see proof of this.

• Is food hygiene training a legal requirement?

  Yes, food hygiene training is a legal requirement for anyone that works with food.

• What does food legislation require?

  Food law states that all food handlers receive appropriate food safety and food hygiene training and supervision in the workplace. There are different codes of practice and regulations governing everything from food production and preparation to its packaging and distribution.

• What is the Food Safety Act?

  The Food Safety Act 1990 is the legal framework for all food legislation in Britain. It's designed to ensure that food handlers do not add anything to food or remove anything from it, or treat it in a way that could damage a person's health after consumption. It also states that the way food is sold, served, labelled and advertised meets the quality that customers expect.

• What legal responsibilities do food handlers have?

  Food handlers are required by law to make sure that food is safe for human consumption. The law states that food handlers must report to their supervisor if they have a fever, diarrhoea, have vomited, have a facial sore or any form of facial discharge or have a foodborne illness themselves. It is also food handlers' legal responsibility to prevent their hair, nails, jewellery or any plasters from contaminating food. Food handlers should also cooperate with their employer by handling and preparing food in line with any training or instruction they have received.

• Who needs to have a food hygiene certificate?

  Not all food handlers are legally required to have a food hygiene certificate. However, EU Regulation 852/2004 states that food businesses have to ensure any staff who handle food are supervised properly and receive food hygiene training.