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Risk Assessment

A risk assessment asks you to think logically about what might go wrong with the food that you sell and what you must do to ensure it is safe for your customers. It is based on food safety practices that you will already be familiar with.

Risk assessments help to prevent problems rather than reacting to them after they have happened.

Why do a Risk Assessment?

  • it is legal requirement for all food businesses
  • if your business is taken to court you may be able to demonstrate that you had exercised diligence through arrangements in place to prevent an offence being committed
  • it helps ensure food is safe for customers to eat

From the 1 January 2006 all food businesses must have some form of written risk assessment. The Food Standards Agency has produced the 'Safer Food, Better Business' to assist small businesses meet the new requirement to have written records and written details of their procedures. They have so far produced guides for the catering and retail sectors and further guides will follow.

Safer Food Better Business for Caterers

The Safer Food Better Business - Catering Pack can be downloaded from the link along with diary refills or diary and four week review direct from the FSA website. A limited stock of catering packs and refills are also available from Environmental Health at the address below

Further details from the FSA site.

Safer Food Better Business for Retailers

They have now also introduced a 'Safer Food, Better Business - Retail Pack' aimed at small retailers. You can also download diary and four week review direct from the FSA. A limited stock retail packs and refills are also available from Environmental Health at the address below

Further details from the FSA site.

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Page updated: 20 Oct 2010 


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Email: info@hackney.gov.uk
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