Who inspects your business in London
Each London borough, plus the City of London, has its own environmental health team. They inspect food businesses in their area and give the food hygiene rating.
Inspectors check that staff are trained for the food they handle. They do not ask for one named course.
London's hygiene ratings in numbers
According to the Food Standards Agency's open data, published on 7 November 2026, the 33 London councils had 71,760 food businesses with a hygiene rating. 49,145 of them (68.5%) had the top rating of 5, and 4,124 (5.7%) were rated 0, 1 or 2, which means improvement is necessary or more urgent.
Another 7,306 London businesses were still awaiting their first inspection. New places open all the time, so many teams will meet an inspector soon after they start. Trained staff make that first visit easier.
Why online suits London
No travel across town and no waiting for a classroom date. Do the modules on the bus or the Tube and come back to them any time.
Useful when you start a new job and need proof quickly.
Markets, street food and dark kitchens
Stalls and delivery-only kitchens are food businesses too. They register with the council and their staff need the same training.
Open food and quick service raise the risk. Hand washing, temperature checks and allergen information matter most.
What you get
10 short modules in plain English, a multiple-choice test and a certificate of completion with a QR code. €9.50 in total.
It is not a regulated qualification. If your employer wants a named award, ask them first.