ICTQual Level 1 Diploma in Health and Safety in Food Service
The ICTQual Level 1 Diploma in Health and Safety in Food Service provides an essential foundation for anyone beginning a career in the food industry. This qualification introduces learners to the core principles of maintaining safe food environments, ensuring hygiene standards, and reducing health risks across food service settings.
Health and safety in food service is critical not only to comply with legal standards but also to protect public health. This diploma is designed to build awareness, develop responsible habits, and equip learners with practical skills required for safe food handling practices.
This entry-level diploma is structured to deliver fundamental knowledge and understanding of food hygiene and health and safety responsibilities. It is ideal for learners who are either entering the workforce for the first time or currently working in roles under supervision within food service operations.
Learners will explore topics such as foodborne illness prevention, temperature control, personal hygiene, cleaning practices, pest control, and basic food safety law. The qualification helps establish safe working behaviour from the outset of a learner’s career in catering, hospitality, retail, or institutional food environments.
The ICTQual Level 1 Diploma in Health and Safety in Food Service provides a strong starting point for learners entering the food industry. It instils essential knowledge and promotes responsible food handling practices, ensuring that learners are prepared to contribute to a hygienic and legally compliant food service environment. Whether working in hospitality, retail, healthcare, or education, this diploma supports learners in gaining valuable skills and setting the foundation for a safe and successful career in food service.
Level 1 Diploma in Health and Safety in Food Service
To enrol in the ICTQual Level 1 Diploma in Health and Safety in Food Service, learners must meet the following requirements:
- Learners must be at least 14 years old at the time of enrolment.
- There are no formal academic qualifications required. However, learners should have basic literacy skills in English to understand instructions, safety signs, and course materials.
- No prior work experience in food service is necessary. This course is ideal for learners who are new to the industry or working under supervision in roles involving food handling and preparation.
- For non-native English speakers, a minimum English language proficiency level equivalent to CEFR A2 may be required to ensure full engagement with the course content.
This qualification, the ICTQual Level 1 Diploma in Health and Safety in Food Service, consists of 5 mandatory units.
- HACCP Fundamentals and Principles – 2 Credit Hours
- Food Allergen Awareness and Labelling – 2 Credit Hours
- Kitchen and Workplace Safety Practices – 2 Credit Hours
- Personal Hygiene and PPE Management – 2 Credit Hours
- Emergency Protocols and First Aid Basics – 2 Credit Hours
Here are the learning outcomes for each study unit:
HACCP Fundamentals and Principles – 2 Credit Hours
- Understand the core principles of HACCP and their application in food service
- Identify critical control points and implement monitoring procedures
- Recognise the importance of hazard analysis in maintaining food safety
Food Allergen Awareness and Labelling – 2 Credit Hours
- Identify common food allergens and their potential health risks
- Understand legal labelling requirements for allergenic ingredients
- Apply best practices to prevent allergen cross-contamination in food preparation
Kitchen and Workplace Safety Practices – 2 Credit Hours
- Recognise common kitchen hazards and implement safe working procedures
- Use equipment safely and maintain a clean, organised workspace
- Promote a culture of safety and compliance in the food environment
Personal Hygiene and PPE Management – 2 Credit Hours
- Follow personal hygiene practices required in food service settings
- Understand the correct use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
- Reduce the risk of contamination through proper hygiene and PPE protocols
Emergency Protocols and First Aid Basics – 2 Credit Hours
- Respond effectively to common kitchen emergencies and accidents
- Understand basic first aid procedures applicable in food environments
- Support health and safety through knowledge of emergency response practices
Completing the ICTQual Level 1 Diploma in Health and Safety in Food Service provides learners with a strong entry point into the food service industry. This qualification opens the door to numerous progression opportunities, both academically and professionally.
Career Development Opportunities
- Gain access to entry-level roles in restaurants, cafés, school kitchens, hospital catering, and retail food outlets
- Demonstrate foundational food safety knowledge to employers across the hospitality, healthcare, and institutional catering sectors
- Build practical skills that contribute to safe, efficient, and hygienic food service environments
Academic and Professional Progression
- Progress to higher-level qualifications such as the ICTQual Level 2 Award or Certificate in Health and Safety in Food Service
- Explore specialist training in HACCP implementation, food allergen management, or food hygiene auditing
- Use this diploma as a stepping stone toward supervisory-level food safety training and compliance roles
This qualification sets a solid foundation for learners aiming to build a long-term, safety-focused career within the food and hospitality industries.