The law also places an obligation on businesses to ensure activities are carried out in a hygienic way.
It is against the law to:
- sell (or keep for sale) food that is unfit for people to eat
- cause food to be dangerous to health
- sell food that isn’t what the customer is entitled to expect in terms of content or quality
- describe or present food in a way that is false or misleading
It is your responsibility to check what you need to do to comply with the law. If you don’t, we can take legal action.
Food safety management system
Every food business has different risks, depending on the type of food being prepared and the way it is produced and handled.
You must make sure that:
- you have a written food safety management plan in place for your business
- this plan must show what food safety measures you have put in place and how you maintain them
- Your plan should be based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points as outlined on the Food Standard Agency food safety website
Further information
You can get more information, safety tips and hygiene advice on the Food Standards Agency website.
The Safer food, better business (SFBB) website has information to help smaller food businesses put in place food safety management procedures and comply with food hygiene regulations.
Read our food safety pack for home bakers to ensure that you meet all the legal requirements if you regularly provide food to friends or members of the public.