Licensing

Butchers Shops

You no longer need to register or apply for a licence to operate a butchers shop.

Their previous registration has been replaced with new legislation that came into force on 1 January 2006.

Safer Food Better Business, requires food businesses to keep detailed records about their hygiene practises. By keeping accurate records we want to encourage businesses to keep their hygiene practices up-to-date to help reduce the number of food safety lapses.

Call the food team for more information on the new food hygiene legislation at the address shown.

Legislation for food businesses and food safety

You need to know how Safer Food, Better Business, will help you eliminate potential hazards in your catering business.

You are required to show what you do to make food safe by writing it down. This is what is referred to as a documented food safety management system.

How much do I need to write?

This will depend on the following:

The size of your business
The risks presented by your business
Your process/procedures

What do I need to help me understand and comply with the new regulation?

The Food Standards Agency has developed a pack for small catering businesses called Safer Food, Better Business. This will help you comply with the new regulation.

How will Safer Food, Better Business help me?

Safer Food, Better Business is a simple fact sheet system that tells you how to ensure that the major potential hazards in your catering business, namely; cross contamination, cleaning, chilling and cooking can be safely controlled.

What does the Safer Food, Better Business pack contain?

Each pack contains 5 sections containing a number of fact sheets called 'Safe Methods'. For example, 'Cooking Food Safely' and 'Reheating'
In total, there are about 20 methods covering all aspects of the '4Cs', but not all of them will apply to all business
A simple diary of a 4-weekly review for record keeping, ensuring up dated information to allow you to identify and address common problems

What's in it for me?

Safer Food, Better Business will ensure you comply with the requirements of the new law
It is widely recognised
It will help ensure that you produce safe food which may result in fewer visits from your Environmental Health Officer
It's free

How do I get an Safer Food, Better Business pack?

Initially, packs will be supplied to those premises which take part in the work shops and coaching secession
In time, the pack will be provided to all catering premises that do not currently have a food safety management system in place