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Veggie, beef, cheese, or chicken – who doesn’t enjoy a burger? Especially at this time of year. That said, there are certain steps you must go through before launching your own burger van business. These steps include registering your business, learning the food hygiene laws, achieving food hygiene certificates, and more. In this article, we will discuss what food hygiene certificate you’ll need for a burger van, here in the UK.
All food industry premises must adhere to food hygiene and safety rules and regulations. One way to show that you adhere to regulations is by obtaining food hygiene certificates for your staff. Essential Food Hygiene offers three core Food Hygiene & Safety courses; level one, level two, and level three – each targeted at different areas within a food business. They are as follows:
Level Two – Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety course is for those who work in the food industry and frequently handle or prepare food. So, anyone making or serving burgers in your burger van should have this this certificate. The level two food hygiene and safety course takes 1 – 2 hours to complete.
Click here to get a level 2 food hygiene certificate. They only cost £10 and bulk discounts are available.
Level One – Level 1 Food Hygiene and Safety Course is targeted towards those in the industry who do not have any direct contact with food. It can also be used as a foundation course ahead of completing the level 2 course discussed above. The level one food hygiene and safety course takes 1 – 2 hours to complete.
Legally standing, you do not need a food hygiene certificate to produce and sell food items although it is recommended by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). In the UK, anyone working with food must be “adequately trained” or have received appropriate instructions or supervision in food safety matters relevant to their role. A food hygiene certificate is the easiest way to prove adequate training in food hygiene and safety in case legal problems arise and you need to prove that the business followed due diligence in training its staff.
Food law requires that you register as self-employed, and register your business if you sell or give away food for free on a regular basis. This should be done at least 28 days before you open for business – and can be done in a matter of minutes, online. Your local authority will then arrange to visit your business for a food hygiene inspection. This will assess whether your food preparation areas and food safety protocols are up to standard. To register online and to find out more information please visit the GOV website. Registration is free, and registration cannot be refused. Do remember, you must register at least 28 days before you open for business.
Once your business is ready to open and has been registered you should request a food hygiene inspection from your local authority. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is led by the government in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is put in place to make sure that cafes, food stalls, takeaways, restaurants, and more are preparing food in sanitary, and safe conditions – thus protecting the public.
There are certain rules and regulations you should look into:
The Food Safety Act 1990 was put in place by the UK Parliament. It states that it is obligatory to treat food intended for human consumption in a controlled and managed way. It is required that all food must comply with food safety requirements and must be of the nature, substance, and quality demanded. It also needs to be described and labelled correctly.
The Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 set the legal obligations that are on all food-related businesses to ensure food that they prepare and serve is done so in a safe and hygienic manner. These regulations make it an offence for businesses to sell or supply food that is not safe for consumption.
Local authorities are responsible for enforcing food hygiene laws and can inspect your business at any point in the food production and distribution process. Penalties for non-compliance with food safety legislation include unlimited fines under the new sentencing guidelines. You can read more key regulations on the Food Standards Agency website.
You can obtain a food hygiene certificate directly on the course section of our website. Our Level Two Food Hygiene and Safety course is ideal for those thinking of opening their own burger van. This course builds upon the foundational knowledge of the Level One Food Hygiene and Safety course but goes into further detail regarding the safe handling and preparation of food in the catering industry. It isn’t essential to do the level 1 course, but it is recommended.
Learners will find the course easy to navigate, informative, and readily accessible due to its online nature. The Level Two Food Hygiene and Safety is tailored towards those who have direct and frequent contact with food, and a central role in food preparation and handling.
The course takes roughly 1 – 2 hours to complete and the examination consists of 25 multiple-choice questions which cover each of the three core sections (responsibilities, hazards, and hygiene). Once the exam has been passed, the student will receive their CPD Group accredited digital certificate instantly.
All UK regulations, guidelines, and best practices have been followed to create the course content which works directly to educate learners, allowing them to fulfill their job roles safely and legally. When put into practice, the material in this course can help businesses achieve and sustain a high food hygiene rating for your business. The course costs just £10.00 and is fully accredited by The CPD Group.
Having a food hygiene certificate promotes you as having a conscientious work ethic and gives you the knowledge to back up your experience and level of training – which would look great to prospective clients, customers, potential employers, and fellow staff. Instill confidence in yourself and others whilst learning and developing new and existing skills to help further your career and business. These courses help educate to prevent foodborne illnesses and outbreaks to protect your customers and your business reputation.
A safe and clean environment is your first step and should be the first area to check and address. The majority of your hygiene rating score is based on cleanliness and structure. Make sure to have a strict cleaning and waste system in place and that you or your employees follow it. Documents regarding food hygiene, safety, staff training, and cleaning schedules are important and should be updated regularly. It is recommended to use a digital method with this as your documents and reports are readily available at the click of a button.
Any food products that you have on your premises should be stored correctly, separately, and in date. Raw and cooked food should also be stored in different places and expiration dates should be displayed clearly. Always make sure food is prepared and cooked in a hygienic and safe manner – with the correct temperatures and conditions. Train employees in food hygiene and safety and make sure they adhere to it.
Hopefully, this article has been informative for you. All food businesses should prioritise food hygiene, safety, and training to ensure success within their establishment.
