08 Sep UK Food Hygiene Regulations Today and in the Future
The cost of poor food safety can be tremendous. Organisations today must ensure food safety and adhere to all applicable regulatory regulations.
Food safety is a critical aspect of the global food and beverage industry. Without it, the industry risks food poisoning, contaminated or spoiled food, an influx of pests, and more.
As a result, this means ultimately the forced closure of businesses that don’t adhere to food safety and hygiene standards.
With the Brexit transition ending this year, the UK is facing possible changes to food safety protocol.
Let’s look into the UK’s current food hygiene regulations and what organisations can expect in the future.
Food Hygiene Regulations in the Time of Brexit
Brexit has resulted in a need for a change in food safety regulations as the authority has shifted from the EU and UK officials hurry to meet the deadline.
For now, EU food safety laws continue to remain in effect for the UK. And as a result, food producers, exporters and importers don’t have to make any changes.
However, these revisions to food safety need to take place by the end of the transition period of January 1, 2021.
As a result, any business in the food and beverage industry will need to be prepared to adapt to any new requirements.
UK food law is currently regulated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) with support from the European Food Safety Authority and the EU Commission. It regulates area such as:
- Food traceability
- Imported and exported food
- Food withdrawal and recalls
- Microbiological safety
Additionally, the Food Safety Act 1990 states that food and beverage companies are responsible for:
- Ensuring the proper labelling of food
- Displaying their food hygiene rating
- Ensuring food is at the quality you’ve stated
After the January deadline, new legislation and regulatory agencies may be introduced, along with potentially new food safety principles for the UK.
UK Food and Beverage Companies Can Prepare by Staying up to Date
Changes to food safety and hygiene regulations are reliant on the result of UK and EU negotiations. This means we have yet to see the changes to food law that will take place.
While the end of the transition period will affect all food organisations in the UK, including consumers, food enforcement and others, the FSA is expecting minimal changes as most of EU food law may be adapted by domestic law.
Food Safety Is a Top Priority
You should prepare for any new food safety and food hygiene regulations. This will help ensure compliance with any changes once the transition period is over.
One thing we can be certain of is that organisations must continue to fulfil their responsibilities and implement food safety measures such as the proper storage of food products.
Capital Refrigeration Services has been serving Hoddesdon and the surrounding area for almost 50 years. As a result, we provide best-in-class refrigeration services for those in the food and beverage industry.
Get in touch with us to learn about our products and services, and how we strive to help organisations maintain a high degree of food safety and hygiene.
