Managing Food Safety

New food hygiene laws came into effect in the UK from 1 January 2006, affecting all caterers and retail food businesses.

In this section, find out about food hygiene legislation and what you need to do to manage food safety in your business.

Our Food Hygiene for Caterers section has an introduction to the '4 C's' - cleaning, cooking, chilling and cross-contamination - and advice on personal hygiene, hand washing and high risk foods. Our Premises and Registration section has advice about premises layout and facilities.

Safer Food, Better Business

Safer Food, Better Business (SFBB) packs have been developed to help small businesses comply with the new hygiene regulations, which require a written food safety management system.

There are two different versions of the SFBB packs. One is for small catering businesses such as restaurants, cafés and takeaways. The other pack is for small retail businesses such as small convenience stores, corner shops and confectioners, tobacconists and newsagents.

Supplements to the catering pack are available for different cuisines, including a Chinese language version. A further supplement for care homes will be available from Spring 2008 and a SFBB booklet for childminders later in 2008.

DVD and Packs to Download or Order

To accompany the SFBB packs there is a DVD guide available in 16 different languages, produced to help food businesses implement the SFBB system and train staff.

Go to Related Pages to download or order your free SFBB packs and DVD from the Food Standards Agency. The packs contain simple safe methods fact sheets that you can personalise for your business.

The council's Environmental Health service can help and advise local businesses in Eastbourne.