If you work in hospitality or handle food in any capacity, chances are you have heard of Food Hygiene Level 2. It is one of the most widely requested qualifications in the UK food industry — and for good reason. Whether you are a chef, a kitchen porter, a front-of-house team member, or a catering assistant, this certification demonstrates that you understand how to handle food safely and legally.
In this guide, we break down exactly what Food Hygiene Level 2 covers, who needs it, how long it takes, and how you can get certified online today.
What Is Food Hygiene Level 2?
Food Hygiene Level 2 (sometimes called Food Safety Level 2) is a nationally recognised qualification designed for anyone who handles food as part of their job. It is CPD accredited and widely accepted by employers, local authorities, and environmental health officers across the UK.
The qualification covers the essential principles of food safety — from understanding how contamination occurs to knowing the correct temperatures for storing and cooking food. It is not a legal requirement to hold a specific certificate, but UK food hygiene regulations (Regulation (EC) No 852/2004) require that food handlers are trained and supervised appropriately. In practice, most employers treat Level 2 as the standard baseline for food handling roles.
Food Hygiene Level 2 is suitable for anyone who works directly with food. It sits between the introductory Level 1 (a basic awareness course) and the more advanced Level 3, which is aimed at supervisors and managers.
Who Needs Food Hygiene Level 2?
The short answer: anyone who handles, prepares, or serves food in a professional setting. This includes:
- Chefs and cooks — from commis chefs to head chefs, this is considered essential
- Kitchen porters — involved in cleaning, washing up, and handling food items
- Front-of-house staff — waiters, baristas, and anyone serving food to customers
- Catering assistants — working in contract catering, events, or school kitchens
- Bar staff — particularly those preparing or serving food alongside drinks
- Takeaway and delivery workers — anyone in the food delivery chain
- Retail food handlers — bakery staff, deli counters, supermarket food prep
Local authority inspectors often ask to see evidence of food hygiene training during inspections. Having your team certified at Level 2 helps demonstrate due diligence and can contribute to a higher food hygiene rating.
If you are looking for hospitality work, having a Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate on your CV gives you a clear advantage. Many employers — including staffing agencies — list it as a requirement for kitchen and food service roles.
What Does Food Hygiene Level 2 Cover?
The Food Hygiene Level 2 course is structured around seven core modules that give you a thorough grounding in food safety:
1. Food Safety Hazards and Contamination
You will learn about the different types of food safety hazards — biological, chemical, physical, and allergenic. This module covers how cross-contamination occurs and the practical steps to prevent it in a working kitchen.
2. Microbiology and Food Poisoning
This section explains how bacteria grow and multiply, the conditions that allow food poisoning organisms to thrive, and the most common types of food poisoning in the UK. Understanding the science behind food safety helps you make better decisions on the job.
3. Food Storage and Temperature Control
Correct storage is critical to food safety. You will learn about the danger zone (5 degrees C to 63 degrees C), how to store different food types, proper stock rotation, and the importance of temperature monitoring for fridges, freezers, and hot-holding equipment.
4. Personal Hygiene for Food Handlers
From effective handwashing techniques to appropriate workwear, this module covers what is expected of food handlers in terms of personal hygiene. It also addresses how to manage illness and when staff should be excluded from food handling duties.
5. Cleaning and Disinfection
You will learn the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, how to follow a proper cleaning schedule, and the correct use of chemicals in a food environment. This ties in with COSHH awareness for those working with cleaning products.
6. HACCP Principles
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is the internationally recognised system for managing food safety. This module introduces the core principles and explains how they apply in everyday kitchen operations. If you want to go deeper, we also offer dedicated HACCP Level 2 and HACCP Level 3 courses.
7. Legal Requirements and Due Diligence
The final module covers the key food safety legislation in the UK, including the Food Safety Act 1990 and EU-retained regulations. You will understand your legal responsibilities as a food handler and what constitutes a due diligence defence.
How Long Does Food Hygiene Level 2 Take?
The online Food Hygiene Level 2 course typically takes 4 to 5 hours to complete. However, because it is entirely self-paced, you can spread this across multiple sessions. Many learners complete it over a couple of days, fitting study around shifts or other commitments.
There is no time limit for completion — you can start, pause, and resume whenever it suits you. The course works on mobile, tablet, and desktop, so you can study during a break, on your commute, or at home.
Once you have completed all the modules and passed the assessment, you can download your certificate immediately.
How to Get Certified
Getting your Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate through Chefs Bay Academy is straightforward:
- Buy a licence for £29 — this gives you access to the Food Hygiene Level 2 course and 130+ other courses in the library
- Start learning — log in and work through the modules at your own pace on any device
- Complete the assessment — pass the end-of-course assessment to confirm your knowledge
- Download your certificate — your CPD accredited certificate is available immediately
The £29 licence is not just for Food Hygiene Level 2 — it unlocks the entire Chefs Bay Academy course library. So once you have completed Level 2, you might also want to tackle Allergen Awareness, Manual Handling, Fire Safety, or any of the other courses included in your licence.
Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3: What Is the Difference?
Understanding the difference between the three levels helps you choose the right course for your role:
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2-3 hours | 4-5 hours | 7-9 hours |
| Aimed at | Basic awareness | Food handlers | Supervisors and managers |
| Depth | Introduction to food safety concepts | Comprehensive food safety knowledge | Advanced food safety management |
| Typical roles | New starters, non-food roles | Chefs, kitchen staff, FOH, catering | Head chefs, kitchen managers, compliance leads |
Most food handlers should aim for Level 2 as a minimum. If you are in a supervisory or management role — or aspire to be — then Food Safety Level 3 is the logical next step. Level 1 is suitable for staff who do not handle food directly but need a basic awareness of food safety principles.
All three levels are included in your Chefs Bay Academy licence, so you can progress through them without paying extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Food Hygiene Level 2 a legal requirement?
There is no specific legal requirement to hold a Level 2 certificate. However, UK food hygiene regulations require that food handlers receive adequate training. Level 2 is the industry standard that most employers and local authority inspectors expect to see. Having it demonstrates that you (or your staff) have been properly trained.
How long is a Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate valid for?
There is no official expiry date set by law, but the general industry recommendation is to refresh your food hygiene training every three years. Many employers require staff to retrain on this cycle to ensure knowledge stays current and to demonstrate ongoing due diligence during inspections.
Can I complete the course on my phone?
Yes. The Chefs Bay Academy platform is fully mobile-friendly. You can start, pause, and resume the course on any device — phone, tablet, or desktop computer. This makes it easy to fit training around shifts and other commitments.
Is the online certificate accepted by employers and local authorities?
Yes. Our Food Hygiene Level 2 course is CPD accredited, and the certificate is widely accepted by employers, recruitment agencies, and local authority environmental health officers. Online and classroom-based certifications carry the same weight for food hygiene training.
All these courses are included in your Chefs Bay Academy licence — £29 for instant access to 130+ courses.