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New Legislation

A number of new EC Regulations, which apply directly to food businesses in the UK, and also national legislation in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, came into force from 1 January 2006. They affect all food businesses, including caterers, primary producers (such as farmers), manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

How the legislation affects you will depend on the size and type of your business.

Food Safety Management

One of the main changes from the current legislation is that all businesses are be required to implement and maintain a documented system to ensure the food produced is safe. The extent and complexity of the system depends on the nature and size of the food operation.

Those responsible for the development and maintenance of the food safety procedures must receive adequate training in the application of HACCP (hazard analysis critical control point) principles.

To assist businesses comply with the new HACCP requirements, the City Council is providing FREE training and on site coaching for 300 catering businesses. If you wish to participate in the scheme, please contact the Projects & Development Team 020 7641 1081

Butchers

Butchers selling both raw meat and ready-to-eat food  no longer require a licence to operate. However, they may require prior approval to trade if they sell to other than the final consumer, see below for further details.

Prior approval to trade

Businesses including retailers and caterers, manufacturing or handling, products of animal origin, e.g. products containing meat, fish, or dairy products, may require prior approval by the City Council, before supplying such products.

Under certain circumstances, products containing both products of animal origin and plant matter e.g. vegetables or fruit, will be exempt from the prior approval requirements.

If your business either manufactures or handles products of animal origin and sells them to other than the final consumer, you are advised to contact the Council for further information. The final consumer means the ultimate consumer of food who will not use the food as part of any business operation or activity.

It is an offence to trade without approval if the approval regulations apply to your food operation.

Inspections

Officers will continue to visit your premises at regular intervals and take proportionate action to ensure any significant breaches identified are put right.