Level 1 Award in Food Safety Basics

1. Introduction to Food Safety and Hygiene Importance of food safety, common risks, and responsibilities of food handlers.

2. Food Safety Legislation and Standards Overview of HACCP, Codex Alimentarius, and local food safety laws.

3. Personal Hygiene in Food Handling Handwashing, protective clothing, and illness reporting.

4. Food Contamination and Cross‑Contamination Types of contamination (biological, chemical, physical) and prevention methods.

5. Safe Food Storage Practices Temperature control, stock rotation, and labeling.

6. Cleaning and Sanitization Effective cleaning schedules, sanitizers, and pest prevention.

7. Food Preparation Safety Safe handling of raw and cooked foods, utensils, and equipment.

8. Allergens and Food Sensitivities Identifying allergens, preventing cross‑contact, and labeling requirements.

9. Waste Management in Food Safety Safe disposal of food waste and maintaining hygienic environments.

10. Emergency Procedures and Reporting Responding to foodborne illness, accidents, and reporting unsafe practices.

• Builds competence in basic food safety and hygiene practices

• Enhances compliance with HACCP, Codex, and local food safety regulations

• Strengthens skills in contamination prevention and safe food handling

• Provides tools for safe storage, preparation, and allergen management

• Offers recognized certification to support careers in catering, hospitality, and retail food services

• Entry‑level food handlers in catering and hospitality

• School and community kitchen staff

• Retail food workers

• Volunteers and staff in food distribution programs

• Individuals seeking foundational food safety certification

• Assessment Type: Written exam + practical demonstration

• Format: MCQs, short answers, and hygiene practice checks

• Total Questions: 25 theory + 1 practical assessment

• Passing Score: 70%

• Duration: 1 day (6–8 hours total)

• Certification: Level 1 Award in Food Safety Basics (FSBK)

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.