All drinks that are sold in the UK are considered food and come under the same Food Laws as other types of catering. You may be wondering if you need a food hygiene certificate to sell coffee?
Selling hot beverages including coffee, whether it is from home or a cafe, requires you to register as a food business 28 days before launching. It’s not compulsory to get a food hygiene certificate, but it is strongly recommended.
If you are setting up a coffee business, or a coffee shop you’ll need to be able to demonstrate your understanding of food hygiene practises. All registered food businesses should have food safety management procedures in place.
Getting a food hygiene certificate is a quick, easy, and cheap way to get the right skills and is therefore highly recommended.
Related: Does a church need a food license?
Which Food Hygiene Certificate Do I Need to Sell Coffee?
To sell coffee as a business, the relevant certificate is the Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety For Retail. This will give you a well-rounded overview of the principles of food hygiene and how you can put this into practice selling coffee.
Food Hygiene & Safety For Retail Level 2 – Online Training Course
- This course can be completed online in just 3 hours.
- Download your certificate instantly.
- Compliant with all UK regulations & Laws.
- Meets all legal requirements for food handlers.
- Course content can be played as audio.
£20+ VAT
Bulk discounts available for multiple team members.
Level 2 Food Hygiene For Retail Key Features:
A Level 2 in food hygiene will cover the following:-
- How to use equipment safely.
- Safe and effective cleaning methods.
- Food risks and how to minimise these.
- Awareness of the 14 Allergens.
- How to store food safely.
- The importance of personal hygiene.
- Current UK Food Laws to be compliant with.
Why Do I Need a Hygiene Certificate To Sell Coffee?
Selling coffee or food items is much the same – you still have a duty of care to your consumers. Drinks can become contaminated as easily as food can and by knowing the risks you can have procedures in place to minimise them.
While you do not legally require a certificate, it is a really positive step to take to keep up to date with all legislation. Getting a food hygiene certificate helps demonstrate to customers your business is clean and safe.
Many businesses which sell coffee, also make and sell cakes to enhance profitability. The correct food hygiene certificate for home baking is also a level 2. The qualification is easy to get, and covers you for a variety of food business activities.
Related: Want to start mobile coffee business? Our guide gives a detailed overview of what you need to know!
Other Food Training Courses to Consider
The level 2 food hygiene course is not the only one you can pursue as a coffee seller. There are plenty of choices out there to further your knowledge.
Below, we list a few of the more popular courses available for businesses selling coffee.
Health And Safety For Home Workers
If you have a business selling coffee from your own home then this course is perfect for your needs. It will teach you about being safe while working, using equipment safely, good hygiene practices, fire safety, and electrical safety.
Level 2 HACCP Training for Catering and Retail
This course will further your knowledge of HACCP Principles and how you can effectively identify food hazards. It takes you through methods for controlling these potential risks and helps to ensure all coffee you provide remains safe for the consumer.
