Commercial Environment

 
 

Useful Guidance Documents

If you are in the process of setting up a Commercial business our officers in Commercial Environment are always available to provide advice on food safety requirements and the health and safety steps you should be following.

Alternatively there are useful guidance documents below to assist you when setting us a new business.

 

Food

 

Safer Food Better Business (SFBB)

Safer food, better business (SFBB) is an innovative and practical approach to food safety management.

 

London Food Agency -Summaried food Safety information from Government departments

Food businesses have the responsibility of supplying food that is clean and safe to their customers. The most important factor in producing food safely are the staff. 60% of outbreaks (food poisoning and food-borne infections) are caused by poor food handling.

We have summarised food safety information from Government departments (most of which are free of charge!) in a format that is clear and easy to understand. Do get professional advice on all aspects of food safety relevant to your business before you start trading.

 

Food Safety News


If you want to keep up to date on new food safety and quality legislation, please visit the Food Standards Agency news Centre.

 

HSE index of health and safety guidance for the food industry


This is an index to the main guidance appropriate or specific to the food industry. It has been categorised under headings which cover the significant risks, which cause around 80% of reported injuries and ill health to those in the food industry, together with health and safety management.

 

Food Standards Agency food regulations


All Regulations that came into effect before April 1st 2000 can be found in the Archive of this website. Any new Regulations proposed after April 1st 2000 are available on this page of the website.

 

Food Standards Agency food industry enforcement


Matters relating to enforcement in the food industry can be found on this page.

 

Other useful Food Safety Publications

Alternatively there is plenty of information available from various food agencies. You may find some of the following documents useful.  These documents are produced by the Food Standards Agency:

For more information about the FSA click here.

 

Health & Safety

 

The City of Westminster guide to setting up a business.


A useful collection of links from our "Life Events" pages, including specific information and advice about setting up a business in Westminster.

 

Your Guide to Managing Health and Safety

 

This document, produced by Westminster City Council summarises the most common areas of risk at work within business.  it provides advice not only on minimum standards required by health and safety legislation, which is enforced by the City Council, but also fire safety legislation, which is enforced by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA).

 

The HSE small business start up guide


All employers, including the self-employed have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, to ensure their workplace is safe. They need to develop good working practices and prevent accidents and work-related ill health from happening. This page brings together information particularly relevant and of interest to new small businesses. HSE can provide you with information and advice on improving health and safety in your business.

 

The Department of Health guide to food hazards and your business


This UK Department of Health Guide deals with sections of the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 which cover identifying and controlling potential food hazards. This guide, which covers businesses throughout Great Britain, gives a short introduction to how the 1995 Regulations are likely to affect you. However the guidance is advisory - it is up to each individual food business to check how the Regulations apply to them in practice.

 

Other useful Health and Safety Publications

There are several health and Safety documents, produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which are beneficial to you when setting up a new business.  Below are some of the documents which may particularly find beneficial:

 

For more information on the HSE click here