FSA News item, 12 August 2009

HYGIENE - Retail hygiene guide published

The sixth of a series of guides for the food industry has been published. The retail guide will assist shopkeepers to comply with food hygiene legislation. Produced by the retail trade and other working groups, it sets out recommendations that will help retailers meet the legal obligations to ensure food safety. The guide is recognised by the Food Standards Agency.

The Food Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice: Retail is available to order from The Stationery Office (TSO).

The guide covers activities carried out by these food retailers:

• grocers
• butchers
• fishmongers
• greengrocers
• delicatessens
• supermarkets (including in-store bakeries)

It also applies to businesses where food is only part of what they do, such as:

• department stores
• food shops and petrol stations
• newsagents

The main aim is to provide easy to understand and practicable advice on the best ways of complying with the requirements in both Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 and national legislation.

The guide will assist with applying a food safety management system based on the principles of HACCP.

The use of this guide is optional and food business operators can choose to comply in other ways. However, the Agency hopes it will prove useful to assist food retailers in meeting legal food hygiene obligations, as well as ensuring that high standards are achieved in food safety.