Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering

New levels

In response to the requirements of the Sector Skills Councils and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the CIEH are launching new sector-specific Level 2 awards in food safety, which will replace the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene.

Outline programme

The qualifications cover the following topics:

• Legislation
  
• Food safety hazards
  
• Temperature control
  
• Refrigeration, chilling and cold holding
  
• Cooking, hot holding and reheating
  
• Food handling
  
• Principles of safe food storage
  
• Cleaning
  
• Food premises and equipment

Qualification information

Assessment method: Multiple choice examination (available on demand)

QCA Accredited: Yes

Suggested progression on completion:

CIEH (New) Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering
CIEH (New) Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision for Manufacturing
CIEH (New) Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision for Retail

Syllabus


A Introduction to food safety

Candidates should understand the terminology used in food safety and should be able to:

i Define the terms food safety, food poisoning, foodborne illness, contamination, hazard and HACCP.

ii State the consequences of poor standards of food hygiene and the benefits of good standards.

iii Explain the use of a documented food safety management system.

iv Understand the relationship between hazard and risk and how this can help prioritise action.

v Describe the symptoms of food poisoning.

vi Give examples of those people most at risk.


B By law

Candidates should understand the laws that apply to food businesses and food handlers, and should be able to describe, in general terms, the requirements of the current regulations and:

i Understand the role of enforcement officers, and the powers that local authorities have to control the
sale of unfit, sub-standard or injurious food.

ii State the possible consequences of non-compliance with food safety law.

iii Understand the importance of training, training records and refresher training.

iv Describe legal requirements in relation to food handler training.

v Describe the importance of accurate record-keeping to a food business.

vi Explain the concept of ‘due diligence’.

vii Describe the legal requirement to handle food safely.


C Food safety hazards

Candidates should understand the concept of food hazards, how the risk of food poisoning can be
contained and be able to:

i Give examples of common food contaminants.

ii State common causes of physical and chemical contamination and their effect on health.

iii State the biological and non-biological causes of food poisoning.

iv State what micro-organisms are and where they are to be found.

v State the difference between pathogenic and spoilage bacteria.

vi State the factors that influence the multiplication of food poisoning bacteria.

vii Explain the process by which bacteria reproduce and the timescale of that process.

viii Identify the importance of spore formation in relation to the cooking, cooling and the re-heating of foods.

ix Explain the significance of bacterial toxins.

x Name some common food poisoning bacteria and their likely sources.

xi Give examples of food-borne diseases and common viruses.

xii In general terms, state the risks associated with food being handled by carriers or victims of food
poisoning or food-borne illness.

xiii Identify the concept of the ‘danger zone’.

xiv State the high and low temperatures required to minimise bacterial multiplication.

xv Define and give examples of high-risk foods.

xvi Explain the concepts of ‘contamination’ and ‘cross-contamination’.

xvii Understand the term ‘cross-contamination’ and how to prevent it.

xviii Understand the reasons for the separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods in storage.

xix Understand reporting and remedial procedures.


D Taking temperatures

Candidates should understand how to take product and equipment temperatures and should be able to:

i Explain how probe thermometers should be calibrated, used, cleaned and disinfected.

ii Describe methods of checking and recording refrigerator temperatures.


E Refrigeration, chilling and cold holding of foods

Candidates should understand how a reduction in storage temperature will minimise bacterial multiplication and should be able to:

i Describe the temperatures at which chilled food must be stored.

ii Describe safe methods of rapid chilling of cooked food.

iii Understand freezing and the safe storage of frozen foods.

iv Describe safe methods of defrosting frozen foods.


F Cooking, hot holding and re-heating of foods

Candidates should understand the importance of high temperatures in the supply of safe food and, in particular, be able to:

i State the temperatures required to destroy harmful bacteria or to minimise their multiplication.

ii Explain the risks associated with:
• under-cooking of foods
• re-heating food
• holding food hot.

iii Describe methods of monitoring cooking and holding temperatures.

iv Explain the importance of rapid and thorough re-heating of food.

v Describe the temperatures at which hot food must be stored.


G Food handlers

Candidates should understand that food handlers can impose a risk to food safety and be able to:

i Understand the importance of personal hygiene in food handling.

ii Detail the need for, and suitable methods of, hand washing.

iii Describe the importance and properties of protective clothing.


H Principles of safe food storage

Candidates should understand the importance of utilising appropriate storage conditions for different types of food and should be able to:

i State the main ways in which food is preserved and how preserved foods should be stored.

ii Understand the significance and importance of ‘use-by’ and ‘best-before’ dates on foods.

iii Understand the principles of stock rotation.

iv Identify the appropriate storage conditions for frozen, chilled and ambient foods.

v Understand procedures required for dealing with foods that may cause allergic reactions.

vi Explain the importance of correct handling, preparation, cooling and processing of food.


I Cleaning

Candidates should understand the importance of cleaning in food premises and should be able to:

i Describe acceptable methods of storing and disposing of waste from food premises.

ii Understand the role of cleaning in preventing food contamination.

iii Describe the washing facilities that should be provided for food and equipment.

iv Explain the terms ‘cleaning’, ‘disinfection’ and ‘sterilisation’.

v Describe how cleaning chemicals, disinfectants and sanitisers are used safely.

vi Describe how clean and suitable cloths should be used for different tasks.

vii Understand the significance of cleaning schedules.

viii Describe the effective cleaning of food storage areas and chillers


J Food premises and equipment

Candidates should recognise the need for high standards for structure and equipment to promote good hygiene in food premises and should be able to:

i Explain the importance of food premises being suitably constructed, fitted out and equipped and
the hazards associated with faulty surfaces and equipment.

ii Identify the essential first aid equipment required for food premises.

iii Understand the legal requirements in relation to the construction and cleanliness of the premises
and equipment.

iv Understand the legal requirements in relation to the hygiene facilities to be provided in food premises.

v Define the term ‘food pest’ and describe the conditions in which pests thrive.

vi Name the different types of common food pests.

vii List the signs of a pest infestation, how they can be prevented and what actions should be taken in the event of an infestation being discovered.