If you work in the food and drinks industry, whether in hospitality settings like bars, cafes and restaurants, or in food and drinks manufacturing or production, the Food Hygiene Level 3 course will be applicable for you.
Specifically, it is designed for managers and supervisors who work in catering, hospitality and food production. It is also an essential course for anyone running their own business in the food and drinks sector.
Although people who handle and serve food are not legally required to complete the Food Hygiene Level 3 course, it demonstrates best practice in the industry if all of your staff who come into contact with foodstuffs as part of their role complete the course.
What does the Level 3 Food Hygiene course cover?
As its name suggests, this course is all about food hygiene and, more specifically, ensuring that any food or drinks you handle are safe for consumption.
In addition to covering the practicalities of food preservation and ensuring there is no contamination between different foodstuffs, the course will explain food poisoning and other food-borne illnesses.
This is particularly important given that government data in the UK indicates that the number of cases of Campylobacter and Salmonella hit their highest level in a decade in 2024.
You’ll also look at cleaning and proper disinfection techniques for different food and drinks environments, as well as learn how to introduce a food hygiene management system into your business.
Is the Level 3 Food Hygiene course fully accredited?
Yes, it is approved and certified by both the continuing professional development (CPD) certification service and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).
This means it’s recognised by employers throughout the sector and that you can take your qualification from one job to another with ease.
How long does the Food Hygiene Level 3 certificate last?
There is no official expiry date on your Food Hygiene Level 3 certificate, although industry best practice is to renew your training in this area every three years. Your employer may require that you take the course more often, in some cases annually, to refresh your knowledge of food hygiene and safe food handling.
The course typically takes between four and eight hours to complete depending on your level of knowledge and experience in this area, so it isn’t too challenging to refresh your qualification every couple of years.
What’s more, by renewing your qualification you are ensuring that you’re up to date with what is regarded as best practice, as this can change as new regulations are introduced or new research emerges.
Can I take the Food Hygiene Level 3 course online?
You can take the Food Hygiene Level 3 course online. This is not a course that needs to be delivered in person, so you can work through the module content in your own time, as well as receive email support if you have any questions or need any help understanding any of the course content.
There is no requirement to work through all the modules of the course in one go, so you can spread your learning out over as many days as you’d like to.
