Highfield Level 2 Award
in Food Safety
for Retail (RQF)

COURSE DURATION4 - 6 hours

TRAINING TYPEOnsite Training

TRAINING TYPEClassroom Training

COMPLIANCEEHO-Approved

RESULTS100% Pass Rate

CERTIFICATIONFasttrack Certificate

ACCREDITATIONHighfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC)

Ensures awarding organisations maintain standards & the skills of catering teams, supervisors, and services employees across.

The Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Retail (RQF)

Ofqual regulated, recognised food hygiene training for safer retail food handling, confident food safety practice and professional certification.

Ofqual-regulated qualification:

The Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Retail (RQF) is an Ofqual regulated and nationally recognised food hygiene qualification for people who prepare, handle, display, sell or store food in retail and food-to-go environments.

Designed for new and experienced retail food handlers, this one-day classroom course builds practical knowledge of food safety hazards, contamination control, personal hygiene, safe storage, temperature control, cleaning, disinfection, stock rotation and HACCP principles in retail settings.

Whether you are starting a food retail role, refreshing your food hygiene knowledge or booking staff training for your business, this Level 2 Food Safety course helps learners work safely, confidently and responsibly around retail food products.

Importance of food safety training

Reduce the risk of food contamination and foodborne illness.

Follow safer food preparation, storage, cooking and service practices.

Maintain high standards of personal hygiene and workplace cleanliness.

Understand their role within the business's food safety procedures

Support a positive food safety culture across the team

Protect customers and help safeguard the reputation of the business.

Who should attend this course

Suitable for Food Business Including:

Restaurants, cafés and coffee shops, hotels, pubs and licensed premises

Takeaways and fast-food outlets, contract, event and mobile catering

Schools, colleges and other educational settings

Hospitals, care homes and nursing homes

Retail food businesses and supermarkets

Food manufacturing and production environments

Prisons and institutional catering

Armed Forces and other large-scale catering operations

Suitable for Roles Including:

Chefs and cooks

Kitchen assistants and catering assistants

Food handlers

Food preparation staff

Waiting staff who handle or serve food

Bar staff involved in food preparation or service

Food production and manufacturing operatives

Retail staff who handle food

The course is suitable for new employees, experienced food handlers and people preparing to enter the catering, hospitality or food industry.

Comprehensive Topics

What You Will Learn

This Level 2 Food Hygiene Course covers the essential knowledge and practical understanding needed to maintain high standards of food safety in a real working environment.

1. Introduction to Food Safety

Understand why food safety matters and the role every food handler plays in protecting customers.

2. Food Safety Legislation

Understand key responsibilities that apply to food businesses and food handlers.

3. Food Safety Hazards

Identify common microbiological, chemical, physical and allergenic hazards.

4. Bacteria and Food Poisoning

Learn how harmful bacteria can grow and spread and how food handlers can help prevent foodborne illness.

5. Food Contamination and Cross-Contamination

Understand how contamination can occur and how to control risks during food preparation, handling and service.

6. Safe Food Storage and Stock Rotation

Learn how to store food appropriately, manage stock effectively and reduce avoidable food waste.

7. Temperature Control

Understand the importance of temperature control during delivery, storage, preparation, cooking, cooling, reheating and service.

8. Personal Hygiene

Learn how effective handwashing, personal cleanliness, protective clothing and good hygiene practices help keep food safe.

9. Cleaning and Disinfection

Understand how to maintain clean and hygienic premises, equipment and food contact surfaces.

10. Pest and Waste Management

Learn how good housekeeping, pest prevention and safe waste handling contribute to a hygienic food environment.

11. Food Premises and Equipment

Understand the importance of suitable facilities, equipment and food contact surfaces.

12. Principles of HACCP

Gain a basic understanding of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and how food handlers support food safety controls.

13. Food Safety Responsibilities

Understand your role and responsibilities and how working together helps maintain consistent food safety standards.

Practical Food Safety Knowledge

The course is designed around the realities of food operations. Learners will develop knowledge they can apply to everyday tasks - from receiving deliveries and checking food storage to preparing, cooking and serving food safely.

The aim is simple: to help you recognise risks earlier, make safer decisions and play your part in protecting customers, colleagues and the reputation of the business.

Learning Outcomes

Practical Skills You Can Use Every Day

On successful completion of the course, learners will have the knowledge and confidence to apply good food safety practices in their day-to-day work. They will be able to:

Recognise food safety risks and identify common hazards before they become a problem.
Prevent contamination and cross-contamination during food storage, preparation, cooking, handling and service.
Follow good personal hygiene practices to help prevent food contamination.
Store food safely using appropriate storage conditions, temperature controls and stock rotation practices.
Prepare, cook, cool, reheat and serve food safely, helping to reduce food safety risks.
Understand the principles of HACCP and the importance of following the business's food safety procedures.
Maintain hygienic work areas and equipment by following effective cleaning and disinfection practices.
Recognise the importance of pest control, waste management and good housekeeping in a food environment.
Identify and report food safety concerns so that problems can be addressed before they put customers at risk.
Contribute to a strong food safety culture by working safely and consistently as part of the wider team.
Support the business in meeting its food safety responsibilities and maintaining high standards of hygiene.

Business Benefits

Protect Your Customers, Your Business and Your Reputation

Investing in food safety and food hygiene training is about more than ticking a box. Well-trained staff are an important part of running a safe, professional and trusted food business.

Improve Food Hygiene Standards -

Help staff follow safer food handling, preparation, storage, cooking and cleaning practices consistently.

Reduce the Risk of Foodborne Illness -

Give employees the knowledge to recognise contamination risks and take practical steps to prevent food poisoning.

Reduce Food Waste and Avoidable Costs -

Better understanding of storage, temperature control and stock rotation can help reduce spoilage and unnecessary waste.

Build a More Confident Team -

Well-trained employees are better equipped to identify potential problems and follow the correct procedures.

Protect Your Business Reputation -

Good food hygiene practices demonstrate that your business takes customer safety seriously and can help build customer trust.

Support Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities -

Appropriate training helps businesses meet their responsibility to ensure food handlers are suitably instructed, supervised and/or trained for the work they carry out.

Support Good Food Hygiene Practices and Ratings -

Effective training can contribute to the strong hygiene practices and food safety manage systems that underpin good outcomes under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS).

Reduce the Risk of Food Safety Failures -

A knowledgeable team is better prepared to spot problems early and follow proceduresdesigned to prevent avoidable food safety issues.

Put Your Knowledge into Practice

This is not simply about learning facts for an assessment. It is about understanding how food safety works in the real world and how your actions can affect customers and the business.

By the end of the course, learners should feel more confident about applying safe food handling practices during their normal working day.