All food businesses need to be aware of food safety legislation, irrespective of their nature or size.
For detailed advise on any specification matters please contact one of our Environmental Health Officers on 01483 444371
I’m a new business, where do I start?
Once you have selected a suitable premises you should check with the Planning Officer that the building has planning permission for the type of food premises you intend to open. If not, you will need to submit a planning application for change of use of the premises.
If you intend to carry out any construction work or alterations you should check with the Building Control Officer whether you need building regulation consent.
Do I need to register my food business?
The answer is almost certainly ‘yes’. There are limited exemptions for some food businesses operation from domestic premises or premises which are used on a very infrequent basis.
You should register you local food business with the Council at least 28 days before you plan to start trading. If you take over an existing business or change the nature of the business, you will need to re-register.
Registration is simple, straightforward and currently free of charge. All you need to do is complete and return a registration form which can be obtained from the Council by calling the telephone number detailed overleaf.
What will happen after I am registered?
When you apply for registration, an Environmental Health Officer will usually contact you in order to arrange for an inspection of your premises and to discuss details with you.
How often will I be inspected?
This depends on a risk assessment of your food business. All food premises are categorised according to potential risk and the frequency that they are inspected depends on this category. Those in the highest risk category can expected to be visited at least twice a year, those in the lowest risk category, at least once every five years.
Will I get notice of inspection?
Not normally but if an inspector is visiting for a specific purpose and needs to speak to you appointments are sometimes made.
What can I expect during an inspection?
We are committed to providing a helpful service to business and aim to comply with the Government’s ‘Enforcement Concordat’. Details are set out in the information leaflet ‘Food Law Inspections are you business’ which is available on request from the Environmental Health Department.
The officer will normally want to discuss your risk assessment with you, and will look at your training, pest control and refrigeration temperature control records.
At the end of the inspection the officer will summarise his or her finings with you, advise you of what action is proposed and agree timescales for certain works to be carried out. A visit record sheet will be left with you confirming what has been inspected and indication what follow up action will be taken.
When you receive a letter of notices from us we will ensure that legal requirements are clearly separated from any advisory matters.
What food safety legislation will I need to comply with?
Running a food business means that you have a responsibility to ensure that the food that you will be providing to you customers is safe and wholesome. Anyone who owns managers or works in a food business should be aware of their legal responsibilities. The main legislation that you will need to be aware of is:
Food Safety Act 1990
Makes it an offence to sell or possess food, which is harmful to health, or contaminated to such an extend that it would be unreasonable to expect it to be eaten , or falsely described, advertised or presented, or not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser.
The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995
Require businesses to ensure that they carry out their operations safely and hygienically. The main requirements relate to: Hazard Analysis Training, Practices, Premises.
Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995
Require food likely to support the growth of harmful bacteria to be kept below 8o C, or above 63 oC.
Where can I get training?
The Council runs regular CIEH certified Basic Food Hygiene Courses, usually on a monthly basis. Refresher food hygiene training and hazard analysis courses are also available.
Food hygiene courses are also offered locally by Guildford College of Further and Higher Education.
Where can I obtain further advice and information of food safety?
Food law is complex and rapidly changing. The Council believes that ‘prevention is better than cure’ and encourages businesses to seek advice.
By working in partnership many problems can be avoided before they occur.