Food Safety Update

Safer Food Better Business

Since 1^st January 2006, EU Regulations have required all food businesses to have a fully documented food safety management system. Food manufacturers and larger food producers, retailers and caterers already have such systems in place. Small food businesses had previously only needed "hazard analysis", (a risk assessment of their food handling activities). The law now means that even small businesses must have a documented system.

The Food Standards Agency has recognised that this would be a major task for the small business operator, and have produced a food safety management system pack to meet the new requirements for small food businesses.

The system, known as Safer Food, Better Business (SFBB) is a practical, easy to use and jargon free system that requires the minimum of record-keeping. The FSA worked with 50 caterers, academics, local authorities and management specialists to create SFBB.

We are supporting the use of the pack in local small food businesses by:

In the autumn of 2005 we contacted 670 local caterers, advising them of the new requirements and offering support and advice including SFBB workshops
holding free SFBB workshops throughout January, February and March at different times and at different locations
assigning personal coaches to each business to help with SFBB implementation
planning follow up visits 6 months after the system has been put into action to ensure it is working effectively
seeking support for those whose first language is not English
providing a dedicated e-mail address for businesses to be able to contact us about SFBB - email: sfbb@wychavon.gov.uk

The use of SFBB is not compulsory. Businesses can devise their own system or buy into a commercial system as long as they comply with the new legislation. SFBB meets all these requirements and is available free of charge to businesses.

For more details on these changes please contact us on 01905 822799 or via the SFBB email address.