Description
CPD Accredited | Approx. 45-60 mins | Self-study online

This course offers a practical introduction to food safety for employees who handle food but are not directly involved in cooking, such as waiters, servers, and other front-of-house personnel. Participants will learn about common food hazards, including microbiological, physical, chemical, and allergenic risks, as well as the importance of preventing contamination.
Our Basic Food Safety course also covers essential personal hygiene practices and maintaining a clean working environment. By the end of the course, learners will understand how to handle food safely, minimise the risk of foodborne illness, and contribute to a safe and hygienic work environment.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain what food safety is and why it is important.
- Identify the main types of food safety hazards (microbiological, physical, chemical, and allergenic).
- Recognise what cross-contamination is and how to prevent it.
- Apply good personal hygiene practices, including correct hand washing.
- Understand the importance of reporting illness and covering open wounds.
- Follow the principle of Clean as You Go to maintain safe food handling areas.
- Recognise common food pests and signs of infestation.
- Understand your role and responsibilities in ensuring food safety during storage, service, and delivery.
Assessment
This course contains a multiple-choice quiz, which must be completed online and graded immediately with a passing score of 80%. If you fail, you can re-attempt it, and tutor support can be provided upon request.
Suitability
Who should do this course?
This course is suitable for front-of-house staff, such as waiters and waitresses. Anyone preparing food should complete the more in-depth Food Safety in Catering course.
Pre-requisites
This course is suitable for those with no prior knowledge. To access the content, learners must have access to the Internet and an individual email address.
Certificate
This course includes a PDF certificate that is available for immediate download upon successful completion.