Food safety & hygiene regulations: What you need to know

Posted 2 years ago

Food hygiene regulations: What you need to know

Running a food business isn’t just about serving customers tasty treats and delicious dishes. Compliance with food hygiene regulations is a must, otherwise, you may be liable to face penalties and enforcement action. In fact, this is on the rise – in 2023/24, there were significant increases in formal enforcement activity compared to pre-pandemic levels, with a 23% increase for food hygiene and 44% for food standards, showing that compliance with these regulations is more important than ever.

As there are several different pieces of food hygiene legislation, it’s important to know the measures to take to protect customers and keep hygiene inspectors happy.

We’ve broken down each piece of the food hygiene regulations in detail to give you a handy insight into the food safety laws you need to follow. So, let’s dive in and explore it a little more!

What are your responsibilities with food safety & hygiene regulations as a business owner?

When it comes to keeping food safe, the final responsibility always lies with the business owner or operator. However, the responsibility does not stop there; it’s also important to make sure that people in other areas of the business understand the rules and regulations. Anyone who handles, cooks, or serves food within your business needs to know the relevant food hygiene standards.

You’ll need to assign roles and duties related to cleaning, cooking, storing, and preparing food and safe measures to combat cross-contamination. Although responsibility for this range of duties is shared amongst your employees, you’ll still be regarded as responsible for how the measures are carried out and the level to which they are.

So, what’s the key element in all this? Ultimately, it boils down to how well your staff are trained. Adequate training in food safety is simply a must! The actions of your employees in handling food are a direct reflection of the training and awareness they have around food safety. That’s a key element in how an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) will assess you during an inspection.

What are the food hygiene and safety regulations?

Since 1990, numerous food safety regulations have been introduced, amended and updated. Food hygiene regulations that have been relevant in the UK during this time:

Food Safety Act 1990
Food Standards Act 1999
General Food Law (EU Law Regulations 178) 2002
General Food Regulations 2004
Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006
The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013
Food Information Regulations 2014

Let’s take a deeper look into each regulation, what they consist of and what that means for your business.

Food Safety Act 1990

The first piece of food safety legislation of its kind, the Food Safety Act 1990 has shaped and defined all subsequent food safety laws. One of the key principles of this Act places the responsibility of food safety onto the business and its owner. It covers three key areas which are still very much a part of food hygiene regulations in the world of today.

What the Regulation consists of:

Accurate labelling of food items and their contents: This aspect of the Act states that businesses must provide clear and honest information on the packaging of food products, detailing what the food contains.
Providing assurances on food treatment for consumer health protection: The Act requires businesses to make sure that food is handled, processed, and treated in a way that safeguards the health of consumers. This indicates a responsibility to carry out safe food hygiene practices throughout the production and handling process.
Selling and trading food items that meet quality standards: This principle states that businesses must only sell food that is of an acceptable quality and fit for human consumption. This includes making sure the food is not contaminated, is of the nature, substance, and quality expected, and complies with food safety requirements.

What does that mean for your business?

The principles outlined in the Food Safety Act 1990 have significant implications for your food business.

Ultimate responsibility: The Act places the main responsibility for food safety squarely on your business and you, as the owner. This means you are legally accountable for making sure that all food you produce, handle, and sell is safe for consumers.
Transparency and honesty: You must label your food products truthfully and accurately. This includes clearly listing all ingredients and any potential allergens such as nuts or dairy. Misleading or inaccurate labelling can lead to legal action.
Proactive food safety measures: You are required to implement and maintain practices that actively protect consumer health. This includes sticking to proper food hygiene standards in all stages of your operation, from sourcing ingredients to serving the final product.
Quality assurance: You have a legal obligation to guarantee that the food you sell meets acceptable quality standards. This means it should be free from harmful contaminants, be of the expected quality, and comply with all relevant food safety regulations. If these standards aren’t met, it can lead to enforcement actions and damage your business reputation.

The Food Safety Act 1990 lays the groundwork for accountability within your food business. It requires you to prioritise consumer safety and operate with transparency and integrity in all aspects of your food handling and sales.

Food Standards Act 1999

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) regulates all food hygiene standards in the UK. The Food Standards Act 1999 was introduced to establish the FSA as the core decision-making body in relation to food safety guidelines. Courtesy of this Act, the FSA has the power to shape food hygiene rules and regulations under other pieces of legislation. They act in the best interest of the consumer across the whole food production and supply chain.

What does that mean for your business?

The operation of the Food Standards Agency through the Food Standards Act 1999 has direct implications for your food business.

Central regulatory authority: The FSA is the key organisation responsible for defining and overseeing food hygiene standards that your business must adhere to.
Influence on legislation: This Act grants the FSA the power to create and change food safety and hygiene regulations that are incorporated into other pieces of legislation.
Consumer-centric approach: The FSA operates with the sole objective of safeguarding consumer interests across all stages of the food production and supply chain. This shapes the rules and advice they create.

The Food Standards Act 1999 designated the FSA as the main authority for food safety in the UK, with the power to shape regulations aimed at protecting consumers throughout the food industry.

General Food Law (EU Law Regulations 178) 2002

As with all pieces of food hygiene legislation, the core aim is to protect public health. Known as the General Food Law 2002, this retained EU Law offers protection across all stages of food production.

What the regulation consists of

This regulation outlines a series of criteria that you must meet as a food trading business, which includes:

If the food you serve is presented appropriately
Ensuring the information provided about the food product is suitable
Traceability of food across the entire supply chain
Recalling or withdrawing any unsafe food produce from the market
Any food imported into or exported from Great Britain is compliant with food safety standards

It also covers national laws on bulk transportation of goods by sea, such as oils and fats, restrictions on sales and supplies of raw cows’ milk and temperature control in retail stores that trade food.

What that means for your business

The criteria outlined in the General Food Law (EU Law Regulations 178) 2002 have direct implications for your responsibilities as a food trading business:

Public health protection: Your main role is to operate your business in a way that safeguards public health across all stages of food production and supply.
Appropriate presentation and information: You must present food appropriately and make sure that the information provided about your food products is suitable, accurate, and not misleading.
Supply chain traceability: You legally need to track where your food comes from and where it goes. This could be done by assigning unique batch codes to each item and offering a digital trace to each product.
Market withdrawal of unsafe food: You are obligated to have procedures in place for the prompt recall or withdrawal of any food products deemed unsafe for consumption.
Compliance with trade standards: If your business involves the import or export of food to or from Great Britain, meeting the right food safety standards is a must.

Your operations may be subject to specific national laws covered by this regulation, such as bulk transport of certain goods, the sale of raw milk, and temperature controls in retail environments. Compliance with all aspects of the General Food Law is crucial for operating legally and maintaining consumer trust, so it’s important to get it right.

General Food Regulations 2004

The General Food Regulations 2004 provided the platform for the introduction of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It applies principles from the Food Safety Act 1990 to provide the following protections for consumers:

Impose penalties on food businesses that do not comply with selling food deemed safe and appropriate on the market
Prohibits misleading advertisements or labelling of food products

What that means for your business

The General Food Regulations 2004 have direct implications for the operation and responsibilities of your food business.

Accountability for food safety: Your business is liable to face penalties if it does not make sure that the food it sells is safe and suitable for consumers.
Truthful marketing practices: You are legally prohibited from using misleading advertisements or labelling for your food products. All marketing and product information must be accurate and not deceive consumers.

The General Food Regulations 2004 reinforce the principles of the Food Safety Act 1990. They do this by outlining clear penalties for non-compliance regarding the sale of safe food, and also by reviewing marketing practices to protect consumers.

Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006

This Act offers the most stringent legislation in relation to food hygiene. Using the Food Safety Act as guiding principles, the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 legislation is arguably the most important for your business. As a responsible food business owner, you must adhere to the following regulations:

You must not serve or sell food which is deemed unsafe to consume
Label food correctly and ensure quality standards are met
Ensure all staff have received proper food safety training
Have appropriate pest control measures in place
Register with your local authority
Hygiene standards are met across all areas of the business

This legislation was also updated to extend to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

What that means for your business:

Compliance with the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 has huge implications for your food business operations.

Absolute prohibition of unsafe food: You are legally not allowed to serve or sell any food that is considered unsafe for consumers to eat, such as raw chicken or unpasteurised dairy.
Strict labelling and quality requirements: You must make sure that all food is labelled correctly and that it meets the required quality standards.
Compulsory staff training: It is your responsibility to make sure that all staff members involved in food handling and preparation receive thorough and appropriate food safety training.
Essential pest control: Implementing and maintaining effective pest control measures within your premises is a legal requirement.
Legal registration: Your business must be officially registered with your local authority.
Comprehensive hygiene standards: You must maintain high hygiene standards throughout all areas of your business operations.

The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 establish a clear and rigorous framework for food hygiene in England. They place responsibility on food business owners to make sure the food they sell is safe and of a high quality, as well as the hygiene of their operations. Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences.

Food Information Regulations 2014

Awareness around allergens has increased in recent years, and the Food Information Regulations 2014 law was introduced to offer further protection and transparency for consumers. Food vendors and businesses are now required to provide information on any allergens contained within the food products that are sold.

Amendments to these regulations were introduced in October 2021 as a result of Natasha’s Law. This change means it is now mandatory to include the following:

A clear label that states the name of the food product
Information on every ingredient contained within the food
Details of all relevant allergen information

What that means for your business

The Food Information Regulations 2014, including the amendments from Natasha’s Law, have significant and specific implications for your food business operations:

Compulsory allergen information: You are legally required to provide clear and comprehensive information to consumers about any allergens present in the food products you sell.
Clear product labelling: You must make sure that all food products are clearly labelled with the name of the food.
Detailed ingredient listing: You are now required to provide a complete list of every ingredient contained within your food products.
Explicit allergen details: You must clearly highlight all relevant allergen information for each food product you sell, making it easily visible and understandable for consumers.

The Food Information Regulations 2014, in relation to Natasha’s Law, explicitly states that food businesses have the responsibility to provide detailed and transparent information about the ingredients and allergens in their food products, empowering consumers to make safe and informed choices.

Making food safety regulations part of your day-to-day

Keeping up with food safety rules might seem like a lot, but the key is to make them a natural part of how you run your business every single day. By building good habits and clear processes, you can protect your customers and your business without feeling overwhelmed.

Here are some simple ways to weave these regulations into your daily routine:

Training is key: Regularly train all staff on basic food hygiene, allergen awareness, and any specific rules that apply to their role. Make it ongoing, not just a one-time thing.
Clear procedures: Create simple, step-by-step guides for important tasks like cleaning, cooking, storing food, and handling allergens. Make these easy for everyone to follow and access.
Labelling done right: Have a clear system for labelling all food accurately, including ingredients and highlighting any allergens. Double check labels whenever you make changes to a dish.
Know your food: Keep good records of where your ingredients come from (suppliers) and how your food is handled within your business. This helps with traceability if there’s ever an issue.
Regular checks: Build in daily or weekly checks for things like fridge temperatures, cleaning schedules, and pest control. Keep a simple log to show you’re on top of it.
Talk to the authorities: Don’t be afraid to reach out to your local council for advice. They can be a helpful resource for understanding and meeting regulations.

By focusing on these core areas and making them routine, you’ll find that complying with food safety regulations becomes a seamless part of your daily operations, contributing to a safer and more trustworthy business.

Brush up on your food safety with iHasco

We understand it can take a while to digest the many pieces of legislation and the criteria within them. The best approach to adopt is to ensure you and your employees undertake a dedicated training course to fill any knowledge gaps you may have.

We offer the following online courses, covering everything from food safety laws to basic kitchen hygiene rules.

Or, why not combine all three and take a look at our food hygiene course bundle? You’ll gain a rounded perspective on all things relating to food safety.

Ready to get started? Claim your free, no-obligation trial to any of our courses today or request a bespoke quote and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your training needs.