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Pizza is the world’s favourite fast food – which doesn’t come as any surprise! We eat pizza everywhere, all over the world – at home, in restaurants, and on the go – some even warm it up for breakfast! If you are in the UK, and thinking about to opening a pizzeria there are a couple of things you need to do before you can open your doors to potential customers. These steps include registering your business, applying for food hygiene ratings, and achieving food hygiene certificates. Following rules and regulations show how serious you are about your establishment and the service that you will provide. In this article, we will discuss all the above, and more.
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.
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. Food Hygiene Ratings are scored between 0-5 which we will summarise below.
Food Hygiene Rating 0 – This is the lowest score you can attain. It means improvement is urgent and needs to be carried out immediately. To receive this rating the organisation will have to obtain 50 points or more – the more points, the worse the rating when it comes to food hygiene scores.
Food Hygiene Rating 1 – Another low rating and one which will require improvements as soon as possible. 45-50 points will achieve a rating of 1. Changes will need to be made within the organisation.
Food Hygiene Rating 2 – Receiving this rating means that improvement is needed and just like the previous ratings, staff training is more than likely required, and perhaps an overhaul when it comes to equipment and processes. A score between 35-40 results in a food hygiene rating of 2.
Food Hygiene Rating 3 – A rating of 25-30 achieves a food hygiene rating of 3. This is the bare minimum and is thought of as a satisfactory score by some. Improvements are still recommended but not needed so urgently.
Food Hygiene Rating 4 – A score of 4 is achieved by attaining 20 points in the inspection. This is a great score to have and many businesses are proud to have it. It means they take food hygiene very seriously. That said, there is still room for improvement if the organisation wants to be even better.
Food Hygiene Rating 5 – A hygiene rating of 5. To achieve this illustrious score you need to score between 0-15 points. This is what all food-handling businesses and organisations should be aiming for.
In the UK it is recommended that all food businesses display their food hygiene rating on their premises, in a clear and concise way. That said, some businesses choose not to do so, for one reason or another – leaving their score to the customer’s imagination. Although not advised, it is legal and all food hygiene ratings can be viewed online if a customer would like to look further.
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.
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 you to prevent foodborne illnesses and outbreaks to protect your customers and your business reputation.
Hopefully, this article has been informative for you. All food businesses should prioritise food hygiene, safety, and training to ensure success within their establishment.
