Fiducia TogetherFood safety for businesses
The legal duties of anyone selling food, and the rating on the door.
Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.
What it means
Food businesses must register with the local authority, have a food safety management system based on HACCP principles, and comply with hygiene and allergen law.
Why it matters
The Food Hygiene Rating is published and displayed, and it affects trade directly. Enforcement ranges from improvement notices to prohibition and prosecution.
What it looks like in practice
Safer Food Better Business is the FSA's free HACCP-based system for small businesses and is accepted by inspectors.\n\nThe 14 named allergens must be declared, and Natasha's Law requires full ingredient labelling on food prepacked for direct sale.
What to watch out for
Allergen information given verbally with no written record. And staff training that is not documented — inspectors ask for the records, not the intention.
Where to get proper advice
The FSA's business guidance and Safer Food Better Business, both free. Your local authority's environmental health team, who would rather advise than enforce.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.