If you work in hospitality, you’ve probably heard of the ‘FSA’. The FSA plays a key role in ensuring food safety regulations are maintained. But what exactly does the FSA do and how can you stay compliant? Keep reading to find out.
The FSA is an independent department of the UK Government, responsible for monitoring the food safety and hygiene of businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The FSA works with local authorities to enforce food safety and hygiene laws. Food safety officers from the local authority inspect food premises and award businesses with a rating between 0-5 depending on the standards of food hygiene at the premises. And the FSA displays this rating on their website.
The FSA also commissions research into the food industry, and advises the UK Health Ministers around making changes to food legislation to ensure it stays effective and up to date.
And, the FSA is responsible for labelling policy in Wales and Northern Ireland, and for nutrition policy in Northern Ireland.
In summary, the FSA’s main responsibilities are to:
Work with the local authority to ensure food businesses are compliant
Protect consumers from food contamination risks
Make sure foods are labeled, advertised and presented accurately
How to comply with food safety and hygiene legislation
Stay compliant (and keep the FSA happy) by following these steps:
Clean: Maintain a cleaning schedule to make sure routine cleaning jobs take place and the standard of cleaning is consistent.
Prevent cross-contamination: Your food storage system should keep raw foods and ready-to-eat foods completely separate.
Cook food thoroughly: Food needs to be cooked at 70°C for it to be safe for consumption and certain foods require special attention.
Store food at safe temperatures: Food stored at room temperature can cause bacteria to multiply quickly.
Train teams: Without proper staff training and a positive food safety culture, even the most efficient food safety program won’t work.
Maintain property and equipment: Daily equipment checks and cleaning will prevent maintenance issues/repair work and costs associated.
Keep records: Document food safety policies, daily checks, risk assessments and staff training files and give the inspector confidence in your management system. Your options are to use a printed paper diary or a digital alternative (like Trail 😉).
Download our guide on managing food safety and hygiene for more information on how to stay compliant.
Get a food hygiene rating of 5 with Trail
Trail takes the guesswork (and the paperwork) out of your food safety. Our digital checklists help you manage risk, save time, and drive a culture of safety.
Primary Authority assured app: Trail has an Assured Partnership with Milton Keynes Council, which means it’s authorised for use throughout England & Wales.
Comply with FSA food hygiene regulations: Trail has all the tasks from your Safer Food Better Business Diary set by the FSA.
Digitally stored records: Trail keeps a secure digital record of the daily checks. No loose bits of paper and binders.
Improve food hygiene: Food hygiene practices are woven into your team’s working day alongside their daily tasks. Food safety becomes a habit.
Prove to EHOs that you prepare food safely: EHOs can locate everything quickly and easily to help you get that all important 5 and protect the reputation of your business.
"I f****** love Trail, it's taking my businesses to the next level."
Josh Paterson
Owner
"We rarely provide training to our guys, they just bought into the idea straight away. I love that I have a full visual of everyone's activity in front of me."
Katrin Toots
Compliance Manager
“It’s not a paper diary that’s covered in barbecue sauce. We have clarity over what’s done in our sites and are confident going into our audits.”
Jay Brown
Operations
“The EHO visited almost every site last year and every store was given a five star rating."
Jay Brown
Operations Chef
"We turned our Costa Checks and various compliance forms into regular tasks on Trail, which has contributed to some of the best scores we have had."
Delroy Daniels
Operations Director
"Our teams love it, it gives our managers of all levels absolute clarity on what they need to achieve every day."
James Brown
Operations Director
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