New licences for catering facilities

Workplaces with catering facilities will need to meet strict new standards for food hygiene.

Under upcoming EU regulations, all catering facilities will be required to undertake risk analysis procedures and be able to trace the origin of all food and ingredients. Catering facilities, such as those found in many workplaces, will have to prove that they meet the new standards and display a licence before being allowed to trade. The regulations will be enforced by environmental health officers, and any flouting of the rules, such as handling money and food without wearing protective gloves, could lead to the establishment losing its licence.

Most major catering suppliers already insist on these standards, but employers who provide catering facilities in-house may have to pay an estimated £200 to £1,000 to comply. It is not yet known when the regulations will come into force, but workplacelaw.net will update you when more is known.

The Health and Safety Executive has recently issued new guidance for safety in food outlets.

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