Food Safety and Hygiene Training

Food Safety & Hygiene Training Ireland

Food safety training is essential for any business involved in handling, preparing, serving, processing, or packaging food. Safety Squad provides practical Food Safety & Hygiene Training designed to help food businesses comply with Irish food safety legislation, protect customers, and maintain the highest standards of food hygiene.

Our training is suitable for restaurants, cafés, hotels, caterers, food manufacturers, retail food outlets, childcare facilities, healthcare settings, and any organisation where food is handled.

What Safety Squad’s Food Safety Training Covers

Food Safety Legislation

Participants learn about the legal responsibilities of food businesses and food handlers, including key requirements under Irish and European food safety legislation.

• Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) requirements
• EU Regulation 852/2004 on Food Hygiene
• Responsibilities of employers and food handlers
• Food safety compliance and inspections

Food Microbiology Basics

Understanding how food poisoning bacteria grow, survive, and spread is critical for preventing contamination and foodborne illness.

• Common foodborne pathogens
• Bacterial growth conditions
• The temperature danger zone
• Preventing food contamination

Personal Hygiene

Good personal hygiene is one of the most important controls in food safety.

• Correct handwashing techniques
• Protective clothing requirements
• Illness reporting and exclusion procedures
• Preventing contamination from poor hygiene practices

Food Storage & Temperature Control

Learn how to safely store food and maintain correct temperatures throughout the food handling process.

• Cold storage and refrigeration requirements
• Frozen food storage
• Hot holding procedures
• Date coding and stock rotation
• Temperature monitoring and record keeping

Cross-Contamination Prevention

Participants learn how contamination occurs and how to implement effective controls.

• Raw and ready-to-eat food separation
• Allergen cross-contact prevention
• Colour-coded equipment systems
• Cleaning and sanitation controls

Allergen Management

Food businesses must understand and manage allergen risks effectively.

• The 14 major allergens under EU Regulation 1169/2011
• Providing allergen information to customers
• Allergen control procedures
• Preventing allergen cross-contact

Cleaning & Disinfection

Effective cleaning programmes help maintain safe food environments.

• Cleaning versus disinfecting
• Cleaning schedules and responsibilities
• Safe use of food-grade chemicals
• Verification and monitoring procedures

HACCP Awareness

Participants receive an introduction to HACCP principles and how food safety controls are monitored and documented.

• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
• Food safety monitoring procedures
• Record keeping requirements
• Importance of corrective actions

Who Needs Food Safety Training?

Food safety training is recommended for anyone involved in food handling or food service activities.

• Chefs and kitchen staff
• Food preparation employees
• Restaurant and café staff
• Hotel and hospitality workers
• Bar and catering staff
• Food production employees
• Retail food handlers
• Cleaners working in food preparation areas
• Delivery drivers handling unpackaged food

Training should generally be refreshed every two years or whenever there are significant changes to roles, procedures, equipment, or food handling practices.

HACCP & Food Safety Compliance Support

Safety Squad can deliver Food Safety Training alongside HACCP plan development, food safety audits, compliance reviews, and Environmental Health Officer (EHO) inspection preparation.

Why Choose Safety Squad?

• Experienced food safety and HACCP consultants
• Practical training tailored to your business
• Training delivered onsite or at your workplace
• Support with HACCP implementation and compliance
• Up-to-date content aligned with Irish regulations
• Suitable for all food industry sectors

Book Food Safety Training Today

Protect your customers, support compliance, and improve food safety standards throughout your organisation.

Call 01 636 3112 to book Food Safety Training for your team, or complete our enquiry form today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Food Safety Training?

Food Safety Training teaches employees how to handle, prepare, store, and serve food safely while complying with food safety regulations.

Who is required to complete Food Safety Training?

Anyone involved in handling, preparing, serving, processing, packaging, or transporting food should receive appropriate food safety training.

Is Food Safety Training mandatory in Ireland?

Food businesses are required to ensure staff are supervised, instructed, and trained in food hygiene matters relevant to their work activities.

How long does Food Safety Training take?

Course duration varies depending on the level of training required, but most introductory food hygiene courses can be completed within a day.

How often should Food Safety Training be refreshed?

Refresher training is generally recommended every two years or whenever significant changes occur within the workplace.

What are the 14 allergens?

The 14 allergens include cereals containing gluten, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, sesame, celery, mustard, lupin, and sulphur dioxide/sulphites.

What is HACCP?

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, a system used to identify and control food safety hazards.

Can Safety Squad help with HACCP implementation?

Yes. We provide HACCP plans, food safety audits, compliance reviews, training, and ongoing support for food businesses.

Do you provide training for small businesses?

Yes. We work with businesses of all sizes, from independent cafés and restaurants to large food production facilities.

Can training be delivered onsite?

Absolutely. We deliver Food Safety & Hygiene Training at client premises throughout Ireland.