This food hygiene certificate level 1 course introduces the key principles of food safety for anyone working around food but not directly preparing it. Learners gain an understanding of food safety law, bacterial growth, contamination and safe cleaning practices, helping them meet legal standards and prevent foodborne illness.
The course includes six modules covering the law, bacteria, contamination control, personal hygiene, cleaning and pest prevention. Completing this training provides a solid foundation in food safety awareness and prepares learners for further study such as Level 2 Food Safety courses.
Fully accredited by CPD UK, this food hygiene course level 1 supports awareness, good practice and safe behaviour across a wide range of environments.
Course Level: 1 / Introductory Reference: AFS1TSFG25 Accreditations: Qualifi, CPD Certificate: Instant PDF download - Self printed
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What you'll learn
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Basic UK food safety legislation and responsibilities
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How bacteria grow and spread in food environments
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How food poisoning occurs and the controls that prevent it
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Risks from physical, chemical and allergenic hazards
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Personal hygiene standards, handwashing and illness reporting
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Cleaning, waste management and pest prevention fundamentals
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Safe behaviour for non-food-preparation roles
Who should take this Food Hygiene Level 1 course
This Level 1 course is suitable for:
- Staff working around food but not directly preparing it
- Food delivery drivers and retail staff
- Lunchtime supervisors in schools
- Healthcare and care setting support staff
- Volunteers and part-time workers handling packaged or low-risk foods
The Level 1 Food Hygiene course was previously known as the Food Hygiene Essentials certificate or Safer Food Essentials.
Course overview
The Level 1 Award in Food Safety introduces the essential principles of food hygiene. Learners explore how contamination occurs, how bacteria grow, how food poisoning can be prevented and why personal and workplace hygiene are crucial to food safety. The course prepares candidates to work safely around food and supports progression to Level 2 qualifications.
This chapter introduces the food safety legislation that applies to UK food premises and food handlers. Learners gain an awareness of the main laws governing food safety and understand the basic responsibilities food handlers have in contributing to the safe production of food. It explains the consequences of poor hygiene standards, outlines the key laws controlling food production and describes the safe practices expected from anyone working around food.
This chapter explores harmful bacteria as one of the most common causes of food poisoning. Learners examine the conditions bacteria need to multiply to dangerous levels and understand which foods are most at risk. It provides a clear introduction to how bacteria behave, why temperature control matters and how simple actions can prevent bacterial contamination.
This chapter helps learners recognise the threat posed by physical, chemical and allergenic contamination. It explains how hazards such as foreign objects, cleaning chemicals and allergenic ingredients can contaminate food and identifies basic controls that limit these risks. Learners gain an understanding of how contamination occurs and how to prevent it through correct handling, communication and simple preventive measures.
This chapter focuses on the basic controls needed to limit the threat posed by harmful bacteria, with an emphasis on temperature control. Learners explore how bacterial contamination occurs and spreads in a food premises and study common mistakes linked to food poisoning incidents. It also explains guidance temperatures for food handling, storage, cooking and reheating, helping learners understand how to keep food safe.
This chapter introduces the importance of cleaning and how approved methods protect food safety. Learners examine why cleaning schedules must be followed, why only approved products should be used and how waste should be handled and disposed of. It also explains the threat food pests pose, how to spot signs of infestation and what actions should be taken to protect food areas.
This module covers the personal hygiene standards required to keep food safe. Learners study the consequences of poor hygiene, including risks linked to hand contamination, illness and inappropriate behaviour. It explains how and when to wash hands correctly, why illness must be reported and why following instructions and behaving responsibly is essential in any food environment.
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Course features
Try our sample chapter - Bacteria
Frequently asked questions
Individual learners have 30 days from registration to complete their food hygiene course level 1 and assessment. After passing or reaching the 30-day limit, your course access closes but your learner account remains active so you can log in and download your certificate whenever needed. Business buyers have 12 months to distribute course codes, with 30 days of access starting from the date each learner registers. Extensions are available if needed.
The online food hygiene course level 1 usually takes between two and four hours. The exact time varies depending on your experience, learning style and pace. Each chapter includes a minimum study time before the exam unlocks, helping ensure learners fully absorb the material before testing.
Don’t worry, you get unlimited free exam retakes. The assessment includes 20 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll need 16 correct to pass. If you don’t succeed the first time, you’ll receive feedback showing which topics to review before resitting within your course window.
Yes. The level 1 food hygiene certificate meets the requirement for all staff to be ‘supervised, instructed and trained in food hygiene matters appropriate to their job’. The course is designed in collaboration with Environmental Health Officers to ensure the content covers everything required for safe food handling and compliance.
This food hygiene certificate level 1 provides flexible, accessible learning through a combination of written materials, tutor-led videos and interactive graphics. Learners can study in their own time and environment, making it easier to retain and apply the information in real-life food service settings.
Yes, if your work involves contact with food, even when not preparing it directly. The level 1 food hygiene course is suitable for delivery staff, retail assistants, front-of-house teams and volunteers. It ensures you meet your legal responsibility to maintain basic hygiene and food safety awareness.
No. The food hygiene course level 1 is for people working around food in low-risk roles. Those directly handling or preparing open food should complete a Level 2 Food Safety course, which covers similar topics in greater depth.
No. The previous ‘Basic Food Hygiene’ qualification was replaced by the Level 2 Food Safety Certificate following updates to UK food regulations. This level 1 food hygiene certificate provides an introduction suitable for entry-level staff or anyone supporting food operations.
Our awarding bodies
Quality assurance is an important part of Safer Food Group training. We use external experts to review and accredit our courses for academic rigour, fit for purpose, accuracy and currency. This means that you can trust The Safer Food Group to deliver high quality, effective training.
SFG courses are endorsed by Qualifi, an Ofqual registered academic awarding body. Qualifi's focus is qualifications that meet the demands of employers and learners both vocationally and academically.
All SFG courses carry CPD credits. This means that CPD UK has verified SFG training is of suitable quality and content to count towards Continued Professional Development.
