Food safety legislation for businesses

All food businesses are required to register with their local authority. You can download the form on the righthand side or alternatively you can register on-line at Business Link Business Link This link will take you to an external website... and follow the instructions there.

New food legislation was introduced in January 2006 under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006.

The main requirements for businesses according to the law are:

• All food businesses are required to register with the local authority. If your food business is based in the Vale you need to register with the food and safety team. You can do this by downloading the application to register a food business form from the right of the page and sending it back to the food and safety team.
• Food businesses are required to have a Food Safety Management System. It basically involves looking at how your business operates; identifying areas of potential harm to customers and ensuring action is taken to minimize any risks identified. This must be written down.

The Food Standards Agency website provides details of a suggested system for small catering businesses called Safer Food Better Business This link will take you to an external website... . This management system can be downloaded from the website, or you can order a free information pack by calling 0845 606 0667. This pack will help you:

• comply with the regulations
• show you how to make and display food safely
• protect your business's reputation
• improve your business.

Information about food standards for businesses can also be found on the Oxfordshire Trading Standards website Oxfordshire County Council This link will take you to an external website... and in the Food Standards Agency leaflet "Food hygiene: a guide for businesses" which can be downloaded from the right of the page.