Highfield Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering
The half-day qualification that turns allergen risk into a controlled, communicable process for catering teams and the customers they serve.
Is this the right qualification for you?
Allergen errors are among the most serious a kitchen can make. This qualification gives food handlers and front-of-house staff the working knowledge to identify allergens, prevent cross-contamination, and communicate ingredient information accurately.
What the qualification covers
Mapped to the Highfield specification — each area moving from what the standard requires to how you evidence it.
Allergens and intolerances
The food allergens and ingredients that commonly cause intolerances.
Characteristics and effects
How allergens behave and the effects they have on those affected.
Communicating to customers
Conveying allergenic ingredient information accurately and clearly.
Controlling cross-contamination
Minimising the risk of cross-contamination from allergenic ingredients.
Capability you can put to work
You leave able to apply the standard in practice — with the documentation and confidence to back it.
How you're assessed and what you earn
15-question MCQ
Assessed by an end-of-course 15-question multiple-choice examination, pass mark 9/15 (60%). Study commitment: Half-day, classroom-based.
- — Set and certificated by Highfield
- — Recognised across the food industry
- — Verifiable against the Highfield register
A regulated, internationally recognised award
On success you receive the Highfield Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering — an Ofqual-regulated qualification recognised across the food industry worldwide.
- — Progresses to Level 3 Award in Food Allergen Management in Catering
- — Progresses to Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering
Our programmes carry Highfield’s globally recognised accreditation
For 35 years, Hesham Abbas for Consulting has helped the Gulf’s leading organisations build the systems that keep them compliant, competitive, and trusted. Our work in ISO, quality, and food-safety management has always begun from the same question: not what a standard says, but how it holds up in practice.
That is what we bring to training. Learn with HAC and you learn from practitioners who implement and audit these systems for a living — who know where they hold, where they fail, and what it takes to get them right. Our programmes carry internationally recognised accreditation; their lasting value is the experience behind them. Whatever your role in the operation, you leave able to apply the standard with confidence.
Dr. Mai Tag El-Dien
She has delivered food safety training at the FIFA World Cup, the Hajj, and Formula 1 Saudi Arabia — operations where the margin for error is zero. You learn the standard from a practitioner who has applied it at the highest stakes, not from a manual.
Reserve your place
The inaugural cohort opens this August, with new cohorts every ~1 month. Reserve your place online to confirm your seat.
Next available course dates
Live, instructor-led cohorts delivered online. Reserve your place online to confirm your seat.
| Course | Date | Duration (days/GLH)* | Location | Spaces | Price (ex VAT) | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering | 31st Aug 2026 | 1 day (4 GLH) | Online | 12 | $60 | Book Now |
| L2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering | 7th Oct 2026 | 1 day (4 GLH) | Online | 12 | $60 | Book Now |
| L2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering | 16th Nov 2026 | 1 day (4 GLH) | Online | 12 | $60 | Book Now |
| L2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering | 15th Dec 2026 | 1 day (4 GLH) | Online | 12 | $60 | Book Now |
| L2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering | 12th Jan 2027 | 1 day (4 GLH) | Online | 12 | $60 | Book Now |
| L2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering | 22nd Mar 2027 | 1 day (4 GLH) | Online | 12 | $60 | Book Now |
Dates shown are released on a rolling basis; new cohorts open every ~1 month. Prices exclude VAT — 10% VAT is applied at checkout.
* GLH = Guided Learning Hours, the total tutor-led study time for the qualification.
Good to know before you enrol
Is this qualification internationally recognised?
Yes. It is regulated by Ofqual and awarded by Highfield — one of the world's leading awarding bodies for food safety. The certificate is recognised across the food industry internationally.
How is the course assessed?
Assessed by an end-of-course 15-question multiple-choice examination, pass mark 9/15 (60%), set and certificated by Highfield.
What certificate do I receive?
The Highfield Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness and Control in Catering — a regulated qualification, verifiable against the Highfield register.
Do I need a prior qualification to enrol?
There's no formal entry requirement. The course is designed for those already working in or moving toward the relevant role.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel 21 or more days before the course date for a full refund. Cancellations within 21 days of the course are not eligible for a refund.
Train your whole team, on your site
Run this qualification for your team at your premises, scheduled around your operation. Tell us your group size and location and we'll send a tailored quote.
Dr. Mai Tag El-Dien
Veterinarian and food safety consultant with 10+ years of experience across food safety auditing, training, and mega-event operations. Delivered 2,500+ audits and trained 25,000+ participants across Egypt and the Arab region. Key roles at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Formula One Saudi Arabia 2023, Hajj Project 1444, and Arab Cup 2025. Approved auditor for McDonald’s Egypt. Founder of Food Zone, an award-winning food safety awareness initiative reaching 35M+ views. Certified Excellence Assessor for the Egyptian Government Excellence Award. Holds an MBA from RB College, UK.