• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
0203 011 4242   
Contact us
Praxis42

Praxis42

Health and Safety eLearning Consultancy

  • About
        • Our valuesDiscover our values, aspirations and core competencies.
        • Meet the teamLearn about the Praxis42 team of compliance experts.
        • Case studiesExperience how our services support our clients.
        • ReviewsGenuine reviews and ratings from our clients.
        • AccreditationsOur professional expert accrediations, approvals and partners.
        • Terms and conditionsGet easy access to our terms and conditions documents.
        • CareersJoin the Praxis42 team and discover our current vacancies.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Services
        • Products
        • eLearning CoursesAccess our extensive library of eLearning training courses.
        • Assessment ToolsInteractive health and safety assessment and evaluation tools.
        • SHINEDiscover SHINE – our complete learning management system.
        • Fire, Health and Safety HelpdeskA central point to access a competent person.
        • Hiscox Risk AcademyPowered by Praxis42.
        • Services
        • Audits and assessmentsEvaluate organisational compliance with on-site assessments and audits.
        • ConsultingDiscover our technology-led health and safety consulting services.
        • Bespoke trainingBespoke fire, health and safety training to support your organisation.
        • SaaSOur health and safety software as a service platform.
        • Topics
          • Fire safety
          • Food Safety
          • Building safety
          • Wellbeing
          • Workplace safety
          • Homeworking
        • Sectors
          • Manufacturing
          • Retail
          • Construction
          • Hospitality
          • Office
          • Telecommunications
  • eLearning
        • Complete library of coursesOur library of over 50 health and safety elearning courses.
        • Health and safety coursesProtect employees with our health and safety courses.
        • Wellbeing coursesPromote mental and physical wellbeing with our courses.
        • HR coursesImprove management and staff skills with our HR training.
        • Cyber coursesOnline courses to help you stay cyber compliant.
        • Food safety coursesEnsure food safety compliance with our food hygene courses.
        • Fire safety coursesProtect people and premises with our fire safety training.
        • Compliance coursesOperate safety in physical spaces with premises training.
        • Safety management coursesIOSH Approved safety management training courses.
        • Assessment ToolsInteractive assessments – from DSE to driver awareness tools.
        • Mandatory training coursesAccess the courses your organisation must provide employees.
        • SHINEDiscover SHINE – our complete learning management system.
        • Popular courses

          • Manual Handling
          • Display Screen Equipment Training
          • UK GDPR and Data Protection Awareness
          • EMF and RF Awareness
          • Fire Safety Training
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Topics
        • Building safetyDiscover our building and premises health and safety guides.
        • Display Screen Equipment (DSE)Manage risks associated with incorrect use of DSE through our resources.
        • EMF and RFStay up-to-date with our EMF and RF safety guides and advice.
        • Fire safetyAll you need to learn about fire safety and compliance.
        • Free Stress Awareness TrainingSupporting National Stress Awareness Month.
        • Food SafetyNews, advice and guides covering food hygiene and safety.
        • HomeworkingAccess our guides on working from home and employee safety.
        • WellbeingEmployee wellbeing industry advice, trends and support.
        • Workplace safetyGet workplace health and safety advice and access to support.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Sectors
        • RetailHealth and safety issues that affect stores and retail premises.
        • HospitalityGuides, advice and support for hospitality organisations.
        • ConstructionNews, guides and support covering the construction sector.
        • ManufacturingManufacturing health and safety resources and guides.
        • OfficeDiscover how to enhance office safety with our expert guides.
        • TelecommunicationsLatest advice and guidance for the telecommunications sector.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Safeguarding Adults at Risk £25.00
          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
  • Resources
        • ResourcesComplete library of news, guides and advice.
        • BlogsAccess our latest guides, advice and industry articles.
        • WebinarsSign up to our latest webinars and access our archive.
        • Risk. Sleep. Repeat. – PodcastTune into our latest health, safety and risk podcasts.
        • VideosTake a look at our video library including our product demos.
        • Safety Made Simple – PodcastBreaking down different health and safety topics.
        • Fire, Health and Safety FAQsDeveloped by experts covering key queries.
        • Sectors
          • Retail
          • Hospitality
          • Manufacturing
          • Construction
          • Office
          • Telecommunications
        • Topics
          • Fire safety
          • Food Safety
          • Wellbeing
          • Homeworking
          • Workplace safety
          • Building safety
  • Client login
food safety hazards man cutting chicken

Food safety hazards – why food safety training is important

Karima Boice
30th March 2022

Training employees in the safe preparation, cooking and handling of food is a legal requirement for food serving, preparation and manufacturing businesses and organisations. This guide outlines why it’s essential to understand food safety hazards and how food safety training can support your organisation.

Failure to comply with UK food safety rules can lead to serious consequences for organisations. Customers or employees may become ill or even die after eating contaminated food, and the organisation may be hit with unlimited fines, civil claims or be subject to prohibition to operate. In addition, the damage to the organisation’s reputation can be long lasting and in extreme cases, severe breaches of food safety regulations can lead to company closures.

With 2.4m cases of food poisoning in the UK each year, food safety training is essential. It’s a legal requirement for everyone involved in manufacturing, preparing, and serving food to understand food safety hazards and allergens and know how to prevent contamination.

Sending employees on a food safety course will provide them with the knowledge they need.

Every year thousands of people suffer illness as a result of poor food safety. Our online food hygiene course provides fundamental training for food handlers working in catering and other environments where food is prepared, cooked and handled.

Why is food safety training important?

Prevent cross-contamination from food safety hazards

If food is mishandled, bacteria and allergens can pass from one surface to another. Incidents of cross-contamination occur when food handlers do things such as using a chopping board to prepare raw meat and then use the same board to prepare vegetables or store raw meat in a way that allows juices to drip onto other food.

Cross-contamination can lead to food poisoning and people suffering from illnesses such as campylobacter, norovirus and salmonella. Allergens can pass between food which could be harmful to people allergic to allergens such as gluten or nuts.

Food safety training teaches employees how to understand food safety hazards, avoid cross-contamination and how to manage allergens.

Read our expert guide to managing food safety – five high-risk foods.

Protect vulnerable people

Everyone is at risk from food poisoning, but some people are more likely to suffer a serious illness if they eat contaminated food. They include:

  • Adults aged 65 and above.
  • Children younger than five years old.
  • People with weakened immune systems.
  • Pregnant women.

Food safety training will highlight employees’ need to protect everyone from food poisoning, but particularly the most vulnerable groups.

Improve business efficiencies

Employees trained in food safety can be more efficient. Teaching them how to avoid food safety hazards and handle and store food hygienically will ensure mistakes aren’t made, processes flow well, and customers are provided with a high level of service.

Reduce food waste

Poor food hygiene can lead to food going to waste. Training means employees will understand how to manage tasks such as achieving and then maintaining the correct temperatures for foods, understanding ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates and the proper storage procedures to use. This reduces the chances of food being thrown away, cutting waste and saving your business money.

Protecting your organisational reputation

Managing your organisational reputation is more important than ever in the modern world of social media reviews. Bad reviews due to poor hygiene can be hugely damaging.

The Food Standards Agency rate businesses on food hygiene in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Food Standards Scotland doing the same in Scotland. The ratings are public information, so a poor score could put customers off from doing business with you.

Training your employees will ensure high standards are maintained and customers know that your food is safe.

Promoting a more positive workplace

Employee training is one of the ways employers can create a positive working environment. Training through a food safety course emphasises the importance of good practices and why food safety is essential. It ensures employees feel confident in their ability to do the job and prevents any bad feeling among teams.

Avoid closure, prosecution and fines

Organisations with poor food hygiene practices and allergen controls risk breaching food safety regulations. During an inspection by food safety authorities, an organisation can be shut down if it is considered a high safety risk. The organisation can face unlimited fines, while owners and managers may face prison sentences for gross breach of reasonable care.

In 2016, the Guardian reported that more than 100 companies were successfully prosecuted “with sentences including prison, suspended sentences, community service and fines of tens of thousands of pounds”.

Trained employees mean employers can feel more confident that food safety rules are being complied with and that their food safety management system is functioning.

What does food safety training cover?

Regulations and guidance requires that food handlers involved within the food supply, production and service chain should be supervised, instructed and trained in food hygiene measures. This means that all employees who come into contact with food should understand why food safety is essential. They must receive training that’s relevant to their job and the type of food that they handle.

There are three recognised levels of food safety training:

  • Level one – General training for the safe preparation, serving and delivery of low risk and wrapped food. Relevant to waiting staff and food delivery staff.
  • Level two – Training for people who prepare and serve food directly to consumers. Relevant to chefs, kitchen assistants and bar staff who prepare food and serve drinks.
  • Level three – Training food supervisors and managers in a business preparing and serving food directly to consumers. Relevant to head chefs, general managers and owners of mobile catering businesses.

The specific content of a training course is dependent on the level, but in general, it should cover safe practices in the preparation, cooking and handling of food.

Subjects covered by food safety training include helping employees understand food safety terminology and food safety regulations, recognising food safety hazards, the importance of high temperatures for controlling bacteria, cleaning, allergens, pest controls, contamination and storing food correctly.

A food safety course should also teach the importance of good cleaning practices and, if relevant, the principles of Hazards Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) as it applies to food safety.

Ensure your employees are aware of the risks presented by reheating food with our online food hygiene course, including how to recognise food safety hazards and the importance of food temperature control.

Primary Sidebar

Blog categories

  • Assessments
  • Compliance
  • Fire Safety
  • Food Safety
  • Health and Safety
  • HR
  • Mandatory Training
  • Safety Management
  • Wellbeing

Latest guide

Eye tests for employees - featured image

DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?

Learn more about eye tests for employees and employers responsibilities relating DSE eye tests, and optical health and safety ...
Read more

Latest course

Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Our Safeguarding Adults at Risk course aims to help you understand the importance of safeguarding adults at risk of harm ...
View course
Health safety assessments - main header image

Audits and assessments

Our professional risk assessments, audits and consultancy services help organisations comply with fire, health and safety and HR regulations.
Read more
Praxis42 Consulting services

Consulting

Discover how our fire, health and safety consultants can help your organisation with fire safety and health and safety compliance.
Read more

Sign up to our Praxis42 newsletter

Get the latest fire, health and safety news, guides, webinars, videos and podcasts direct to your inbox. Sign up now!

Related resources

Discover our library of expert guides, webinars and video.

Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
Video

Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it

This product demo will look at the ways you may be currently assessing the DSE risks in your organisation and ways you can streamline the process.
Read more
Display screen equipment regulations 1992
Blog

What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?

Read our guide on what Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 entail and understand the importance for employers to implement them.
Read more
Ep 11: Trust without condition - Christian Harris
Podcast

Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris

This conversation looks at how to move forward after a life-changing accident, dealing with internal pressure and the importance of trust and growth within business.
Read more
Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
Podcast

Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace

In this episode we look at common electrical hazards in the workplace, the legal requirements for electrical safety and precautions that should be taken. 
Read more
More posts Loading...

Footer

About Praxis42

We're the leading compliance organisation trusted by businesses nationwide to meet their auditing, assessment and training needs. We work with all sectors and size of organisation. We have extensive accreditation and decades of safety management experience.


Company no. 04152524 · VAT no. 770517529

Explore Praxis42

  • Home
  • About
  • Topic
  • Sector
  • Resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the latest health and safety news, advice and offers.

0203 011 4242   info [at] praxis42 [dot] com

© 2023 Praxis42 Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsReject AllAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesThis cookie, set by Cloudflare, is used to support Cloudflare Bot Management.
__lc_cid2 yearsThis is an essential cookie for the website live chat box to function properly.
__lc_cst2 yearsThis cookie is used for the website live chat box to function properly.
__oauth_redirect_detectorpastThis cookie is used to recognize the visitors using live chat at different times inorder to optimize the chat-box functionality.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
CookieDurationDescription
_calendly_session21 daysCalendly, a Meeting Schedulers, sets this cookie to allow the meeting scheduler to function within the website and to add events into the visitor’s calendar.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_2905818_11 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
CookieDurationDescription
m2 yearsNo description available.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo