Food Hygiene Level 2
The food hygiene course for anyone who prepares, cooks or serves food, with your certificate the same day you pass.
14-day money back · Pay once, no subscription
Food Hygiene Level 2
If you prepare, cook or serve food, you are a food handler. The law requires food handlers to be supervised and instructed or trained in food hygiene to suit their work. Level 2 is written for people who handle open food every day.
You learn how to stop bacteria, allergens and other hazards reaching your customers. The course covers cleaning, cooking, chilling and cross-contamination, plus temperature control, personal hygiene and the 14 allergens. Your CPD certificate is ready the same day you pass.
- Explain the main food safety hazards and how they cause harm
- Prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food
- Keep chilled and hot food at safe temperatures
- Clean and disinfect work areas and equipment effectively
- Follow personal hygiene and handwashing rules at all times
- Manage the 14 allergens and answer customer questions accurately
- Report illness and stay off work when you need to
- Spot the signs of pests and report them
7 short modules, 3 hours in total.
Food safety and the law
Your responsibilities as a food handler, how food poisoning happens and how food businesses are inspected.
Knowledge checkFood safety hazards
The four types of hazard: microbiological, chemical, physical and allergenic, and how each one reaches food.
Knowledge checkTemperature control
Safe chilling, cooking, cooling, reheating and hot holding, including the 8°C and 63°C limits in England.
Knowledge checkPreventing cross-contamination
Keeping raw and ready-to-eat food apart in storage and preparation, and using equipment and surfaces safely.
Knowledge checkCleaning and pest control
Cleaning schedules, cleaning versus disinfecting, managing waste and spotting the signs of pests.
Knowledge checkPersonal hygiene
Handwashing, protective clothing, reporting illness at once and the 48-hour rule after diarrhoea or vomiting.
Knowledge checkAllergens
The 14 allergens, Natasha's Law labelling, preventing cross-contact and giving accurate allergy information.
Knowledge checkFinal test and your certificate
Multiple choice, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. Your CPD certificate is issued by Lift College the day you pass.
This course is for you if
- You are a chef, cook or kitchen assistant
- You prepare or serve food in a care home, hospital, nursery or school
- You work in a café, takeaway, pub, restaurant or food van
- You make food at home to sell, such as cakes or ready meals
- You work on a deli, bakery or butcher counter
- Your employer has asked you to complete Level 2 food hygiene
Your CPD certificate, issued the day you pass.
Your certificate records Food Hygiene Level 2, 3 hours of learning, your completion date and a recommended refresh by date 3 years later. It carries a unique certificate number and a verification link, signed for Lift College by Kate Strohm, Managing Director.
- One price, £19.99. One payment, one learner, no subscription.
- Short modules with a knowledge check after each one and a final test. Instant results.
- 80% to pass, with unlimited free retakes.
- A CPD certificate issued by Lift College as a PDF the same day you pass, with a unique number and a verification link.
- Access for as long as Lift College offers the course, and never less than 3 years from the day you buy.
- A free refresher when your recommended refresh date arrives. Changed your mind? Ask within 14 days of paying and we refund you in full.
CPD certificate
liftcollege.co.uk/verify/LC-CPD-000000The law this course supports
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (assimilated law), Annex II, Chapter XII
Food business operators must make sure food handlers are supervised and instructed or trained in food hygiene matters to suit their work.
Read the legislation →Food Safety Act 1990
Makes it an offence to sell food that does not meet food safety requirements. It is also an offence to sell food that is not what the customer asked for.
Read the legislation →Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013
Enforce the food hygiene rules in England. They also set temperature rules, such as keeping chilled food at 8°C or below and hot-held food at 63°C or above.
Read the legislation →Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006
Enforce the same food hygiene rules for food businesses in Wales.
Read the legislation →Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006
Enforce the food hygiene rules for food businesses in Scotland, including Scotland's own temperature control rules.
Read the legislation →Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006
Enforce the food hygiene rules for food businesses in Northern Ireland.
Read the legislation →Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 (Natasha's Law)
Since 1 October 2021, food prepacked for direct sale in England must show its name and a full ingredients list. Allergens must be emphasised.
Read the legislation →£19.99. Pay once, nothing added.
One payment for one learner. You keep access for as long as Lift College offers the course, and never less than 3 years. Changed your mind? Ask within 14 days and we refund you in full.
- PaySecure card payment, one time only.
- Sign inYour learner account is ready straight away.
- StartBegin module 1 the same minute.
Free refresher when it is due
We recommend a refresh every 3 years. We email you 30 days before, and from the refresh date you can retake the latest version free and download a new certificate.
Questions about Food Hygiene Level 2
How long does a food hygiene certificate last?
A food hygiene certificate has no legal end date. GOV.UK guidance says food businesses must be able to show staff have the right skills and up-to-date training for their role. Lift College recommends refreshing Level 2 every 3 years, or sooner if your job or the rules change. Your certificate shows a recommended refresh by date, and the refresher is free.
Do I need a Level 2 food hygiene certificate to work with food?
The law requires food handlers to be supervised and instructed or trained in food hygiene, to suit the work they do. Your employer decides how you are trained. A Level 2 certificate gives you and your employer a clear record of what you learned and when.
Is an online Level 2 food hygiene certificate valid?
Your employer decides what training you need for your role. GOV.UK guidance for food businesses says training can come from courses, on-the-job instruction, self-study or relevant past experience. This course covers what the law expects food handlers to know, and your certificate records your hours and completion date.
What is the difference between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 food hygiene?
Level 1 covers the basics for front-of-house and low-risk roles. Level 2 is for food handlers who prepare, cook or serve open food. Level 3 is for supervisors and managers, and adds HACCP principles and leading a team.
How long does Level 2 food hygiene take, and what does it cover?
The course is 3 hours of learning in 7 short modules. You can pause between modules and come back when it suits you. It covers food safety law, hazards, temperature control, cross-contamination, cleaning, pest control, personal hygiene and allergens.
How long do I keep access?
You keep your access for as long as Lift College offers the course, and never less than 3 years from the day you buy. Your certificate PDF is yours to keep.
What is the free refresher?
Lift College recommends refreshing this course every 3 years. When your date comes round, you can retake the latest version free and get a new certificate. We email you 30 days before.
Does it count towards my CPD?
Yes. The course is 3 hours of learning, shown on your CPD certificate issued by Lift College, so you can log the hours in your CPD record.
Can I get my money back?
Yes. Ask within 14 days of paying and we refund you in full.
Can my employer pay?
Yes. Your receipt shows the course, the date and the amount paid, and you can pass it to your employer. Lift College is not VAT registered, so no VAT is charged. Buying for a team? Ask about team enrolment and the team will help.
Food Hygiene Level 1
Food hygiene basics for front-of-house, kitchen porters and low-risk roles: handwashing, cleaning, allergens and illness.
Food Hygiene Level 3
For supervisors and managers: HACCP principles, supervising food handlers, allergen control, records and inspections.
Anaphylaxis Training
Recognise anaphylaxis, use an adrenaline auto-injector and manage the 14 allergens. For schools, food businesses and carers.
Buying for a team?
Enrol several learners at once, one invoice, and a certificate for each person the day they pass. Tell us the courses and how many people and we will set it up.