# New Starter Food Safety Induction: free UK download

Canonical: https://paddl-ai.co/templates/new-starter-induction-checklist
Last reviewed: 2026-09-11 by the Paddl team

Free food safety induction checklist for new hospitality staff

## In one sentence

The New Starter Food Safety Induction is a free PDF for UK food businesses with 2 record sheets: personal hygiene requirements (handwashing, clothing, illness reporting), food handling basics (cross-contamination, temperature control), allergen awareness and your allergen procedures. Download it, print it or fill it in, and keep it with your food safety records; Paddl keeps the same records on a phone with timestamps and reminders.

Every new team member needs food safety induction before they handle food. This free checklist ensures nothing is missed during onboarding, covering hygiene, allergens, HACCP, and your specific procedures. Both the trainer and trainee sign off each section.

## Why you need it

- Food safety induction is a legal requirement before staff handle food
- EHO inspectors may ask to see induction records for recently hired staff
- Proper induction reduces the risk of food safety incidents from untrained staff
- Documented induction provides evidence of due diligence

## What is included

- Personal hygiene requirements (handwashing, clothing, illness reporting)
- Food handling basics (cross-contamination, temperature control)
- Allergen awareness and your allergen procedures
- HACCP overview and their role in the food safety system
- Cleaning responsibilities and chemical safety basics
- Reporting procedures (food safety concerns, illness, accidents)
- Sign-off sections for trainer and trainee
- Record of Food Hygiene Level 2 certification status

## Record sheets

- **Food Safety Induction Checklist**: columns Induction Item, Covered?, Trainer Initials, Trainee Initials, Date
- **Training Record**: columns Training Subject, Date Completed, Provider / Method, Certificate No., Expiry Date, Signature

## How to use it

1. **Before their first shift** Walk through each section of the checklist with the new starter, demonstrating practical procedures.
2. **Demonstrate, don't just tell** Show them where handwashing stations are, how temperature probes work, and where allergen information is kept.
3. **Both parties sign** The trainer and new starter both sign each section to confirm it has been covered and understood.
4. **File and follow up** Keep the completed checklist in the staff file. Follow up within the first week to check understanding.

## Tips

- Don't rush the induction - food safety training saves time and risk long-term
- Pair new starters with experienced staff for the first few shifts
- Book them onto a Food Hygiene Level 2 course within their first month
- Revisit allergen training if your menu changes significantly
- Paddl automates induction tracking with digital checklists and training path management

Download the file from https://paddl-ai.co/templates/new-starter-induction-checklist (email required). The Paddl features that keep the same records: https://paddl-ai.co/features/team, https://paddl-ai.co/features/documents, https://paddl-ai.co/features/knowledge, https://paddl-ai.co/features/compliance, https://paddl-ai.co/features/mobile-app, https://paddl-ai.co/features/allergens, https://paddl-ai.co/features/routines, https://paddl-ai.co/features/ai-assistant.