Guidance for food businesses
Whilst we are responsible for regulating food hygiene in food businesses and carrying out your inspections; it is the Food Standards Agency (opens in new tab) who is the national agency responsible for food safety and hygiene across the UK.
You will find a wealth of information and courses to assist new and established food businesses on their website. Some key areas to start are:
All food business must have a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in place, its purpose is to identify and control possible food hazards within a food business in order to ensure that food is safe to eat.
The Food Standards Agency have a free to download FSMS pack called Safer Food Better Business (opens in new tab) (SFBB), which is jargon free, and covers cooking, cleaning, chilling, cross contamination and management procedures.
Hertsmere Borough Council have also created a free to download Food Safety Management System specifically for Home Caterers who prepare low risk foods. A PDF copy of this can be found at the end of the page.
Hertsmere Borough Council run workshops throughout the year teaching business the correct way to complete their SFBB packs, for those that need guidance. Further information on our upcoming workshops can be found on our dedicated training page.
We can also provide you with a printed version of this pack at a cost of £10. Please email the food team if you wish to purchase a pack from us.
Better Business for All have also created a FSMS called Hertfordshire Safe Food Pack. (opens in new tab) This is another freely available pack to all Hertfordshire businesses.
Food businesses have a legal duty to provide information about the presence of the 14 allergens (opens in new tab) (PDF 210 KB) required to be declared by law which is within the food and drink they sell.
There are resources available in a number of differing languages to assist those within the food industry.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (opens in new tab) have a number of resources available including a full Allergen Awareness training video, The 14 Allergen Posters a Be Allergy Aware handout as well as some social media links.
These resources can be found in the following languages:
English (opens in new tab) Welsh (opens in new tab) Bengali (opens in new tab) Cantonese (opens in new tab) Kurdish (opens in new tab) Mandarin (opens in new tab) Punjabi (opens in new tab) Turkish (opens in new tab) Urdu (opens in new tab)
The Food Standards Agency (opens in new tab) also provide guidance for food businesses on providing allergen information and resources.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has an introduction to allergen labelling for PPDS food (opens in new tab) and have launched a PPDS HUB (opens in new tab) featuring information and sector guidance.
Allergen Alerts
To keep up to date with any allergen alerts you can subscribe to The Food Standards Agency Allergen Alert (opens in new tab) system to receive emails directly.
Better Business For All (BBfA) have also produced an allergen pack with guidance and best practice to assist businesses. BBfA Allergen Safety Pack 2025.
The Food Standards Agency have produced guidance (opens in new tab) for business operators that manufacture, process or distribute food supplements containing caffeine.
Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are generated during the preparation, cooking and cleaning up of food, pots and pans, utensils, crockery and the kitchen itself. If FOG and leftover food go down your pipes, they will become solid and block your drains.
It is important that everyone working for you knows the best way to manage your kitchens waste. Training employees and helping them understand the need for grease management and good kitchen practice can really help to prevent blockages in your business’s pipes.
Our best advice
- Scrape any leftover food into the bin and wipe pots and utensils with paper towels before washing up
- Use sink strainers in plug holes
- Install a Grease Removal Unit or Grease Separator as a form of grease management to prevent FOG reaching your waste pipes
- Clean and maintain any grease management equipment regularly
- Collect leftover FOG in an airtight container and arrange for it to be collected by a licensed waste contractor
- Keep a record of grease management maintenance and FOG waste collection dates
What the law says
Keeping fats, oils and grease out of drains is always the most effective solution to keep your pipes clear of blockages. Discharging these substances is illegal and you could face fines or prosecution under Section 111 of The Water Industry Act 1991 if you damage sewers.
For more information please visit the Thames Water's website (opens in new tab) .
As of 1 January 2021 there are new rules for businesses and citizens following the UK's departure from the EU.
If you import goods from the EU, export goods to the EU, move goods to or from Northern Ireland, travel to the EU, live or work in the EU or if you are staying in the UK if you're an EU citizen you need to act now.
You can get a complete list (opens in new tab) of what you need to do for you, your business and your family.
As of 1 October 2021 new actions are required for businesses importing products of animal origin into Great Britain from the EU.
Webinars are also available for importers of food and drink products from the EU to Great Britain (opens in new tab)
For further business advice please view our Business support and advice page.
The Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (opens in new tab) is also a good source of information for businesses.
The Food Standards Agency have produced guidance on 'How to safely host a street party'. (opens in new tab)
If you are organising a public event, further information and guidance can be found on our organising an event webpage.
Food Safety Management System for Home Caterers (Low Risk)
Hertsmere Borough Council have created a FSMS specifically for Home Caterers who make low risk foods, free for you to download. If you are a larger scale home caterer The Safer Food Better Business Pack (opens in new tab) may be more suitable for you.
- Home Caterer Food Safety Management System (opens in new tab)pdf file[635KB]
Food Standards Agency
General Enquires:
Helpline: 0330 332 7149
Email: helpline@food.gov.uk