Food safety resources, tools & guides

Everything UK hospitality businesses need for food safety compliance. Guides, glossary, expert Q&A, regulations, free tools, and more.

441+Resources
41How-To Guides
5Free Tools
16Regulations

Downloadable compliance templates

11 ready-to-use templates for HACCP plans, cleaning schedules, temperature logs, and more.

Compliance guides for UK hospitality

Step-by-step compliance guides

41 practical guides with step-by-step instructions and expert tips.

01

How to Prepare for an EHO Inspection

Compliance7 stepsPT4H
02

How to Create a HACCP Plan for Your Restaurant

Food Safety12 stepsPT2H
03

How to Set Up SFBB for Your Food Business

Compliance6 stepsPT3H
04

How to Manage Allergens in a Commercial Kitchen

Food Safety6 stepsPT1H
05

How to Train New Staff on Food Safety

Management7 stepsPT8H
06

How to Handle a Food Safety Complaint

Operations6 stepsPT30M
07

How to Conduct a COSHH Assessment

Compliance7 stepsPT2H
08

How to Improve Your Food Hygiene Rating

Compliance6 stepsPT1W
09

How to Set Up Temperature Monitoring

Food Safety7 stepsPT2H
10

How to Write a Risk Assessment for Your Kitchen

Operations6 stepsPT1H30M
11

How to Get a 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating

Compliance9 stepsPT2W
12

How to Set Up Contractor Inductions

Management6 stepsPT3H
13

How to Build a Staff Training Programme

Management7 stepsPT4H
14

How to Choose the Right Technology for Your Hospitality Business

Management9 stepsPT3H
15

How to Open a Restaurant in the UK

Management10 stepsPT12H
16

How to Start a Cafe in the UK

Management8 stepsPT8H
17

How to Open a Takeaway in the UK

Management8 stepsPT8H
18

How to Register a Food Business in the UK

Compliance6 stepsPT1H
19

How to Get a Food Hygiene Certificate

Management7 stepsPT4H
20

How to Start a Food Business from Home in the UK

Management8 stepsPT6H
21

How to Get a Food Premises Licence

Compliance7 stepsPT2H
22

How to Pass an EHO Inspection

Compliance8 stepsPT3H
23

How to Create a Cleaning Schedule

Operations7 stepsPT3H
24

How to Set Up Allergen Procedures

Food Safety5 stepsPT4H
25

How to Set Up Supplier Approval Procedures

Operations5 stepsPT3H
26

How to Handle an EHO Improvement Notice

Compliance6 stepsPT8H
27

How to Set Up a Pest Control Schedule

Operations5 stepsPT2H
28

How to Train Staff on Allergen Management

Food Safety5 stepsPT4H
29

How to Respond to a Food Safety Incident

Compliance5 stepsPT2H
30

How to Audit Your Food Business

Management6 stepsPT4H
31

How to Manage Food Recalls

Operations6 stepsPT3H
32

How to Transition from Paper to Digital

Management6 stepsPT8H
33

How to Implement HACCP in a Small Business

Food Safety7 stepsPT6H
34

How to Identify Food Safety Risks

Food Safety5 stepsPT3H
35

How to Set Up Opening and Closing Checks

Operations6 stepsPT2H
36

How to Manage Equipment Maintenance

Operations6 stepsPT4H
37

How to Prepare for a Fire Safety Inspection

Compliance6 stepsPT4H
38

How to Check if You Are Overpaying Business Rates

Operations7 stepsPT1H
39

How to Claim Small Business Rate Relief

Operations5 stepsPT30M
40

How to Check Your Rateable Value on the VOA Website

Operations6 stepsPT20M
41

How to Appeal Your Business Rates Valuation

Operations6 stepsPT2H

Food safety Q&A

62+ answers to common food safety questions from UK hospitality professionals.

?

What Temperature Should a Fridge Be in a Commercial Kitchen?

A commercial fridge should operate between 0°C and 5°C. The Food Standards Agency recommen...

Temperatures
?

What Temperature Should a Freezer Be?

A commercial freezer should be set to -18°C or below. This is the internationally accepted...

Temperatures
?

What Temperature Should Hot Food Be Held At?

Hot food must be held at 63°C or above in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotlan...

Temperatures
?

How Often Should Fridge Temperatures Be Checked?

Fridge temperatures should be checked and recorded at least twice daily - once at the star...

Temperatures
?

What Is the Danger Zone for Food Temperature?

The food temperature danger zone is between 8°C and 63°C. In this range, harmful bacteria ...

Temperatures
?

What Temperature Should Food Be Cooked To?

Food should reach a core temperature of at least 75°C to be safe. Alternatively, 70°C held...

Temperatures
?

Do I Need HACCP for a Cafe?

Yes. Every food business in the UK, including cafes, is legally required to have a food sa...

HACCP
?

What Are the 7 Principles of HACCP?

The 7 HACCP principles are: hazard analysis, identify CCPs, set critical limits, establish...

HACCP
?

What Is the Difference Between HACCP and SFBB?

HACCP is a set of food safety principles; SFBB is a pre-written system that applies those ...

HACCP
?

How Often Should a HACCP Plan Be Reviewed?

A HACCP plan should be reviewed at least once a year. It must also be reviewed whenever th...

HACCP
?

Who Is Responsible for HACCP in a Restaurant?

The food business operator (usually the owner or registered manager) is legally responsibl...

HACCP
?

What Happens If You Fail an EHO Inspection?

You may receive a low hygiene rating (0-2), written warnings, improvement notices, or in s...

Inspections

Food safety glossary

92+ terms covering HACCP, SFBB, allergens, COSHH, EHO inspections, and more.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)A systematic approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling food safety hazards throughout the production process.SFBB (Safer Food Better Business)A food safety management system created by the FSA to help small food businesses comply with food hygiene regulations.Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS)The UK system that rates food businesses from 0 to 5 based on hygiene standards found during EHO inspections.The 14 Allergens (UK Law)The 14 major food allergens that must be declared to customers under UK food law, including cereals, nuts, dairy, and more.EHO InspectionsInspections carried out by Environmental Health Officers to check that food businesses comply with food safety and hygiene regulations.COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)UK workplace regulations requiring businesses to assess and control risks from hazardous substances including cleaning chemicals.The 4 Cs of Food SafetyThe four pillars of food safety: cross-contamination, cleaning, chilling, and cooking - the foundation of SFBB and food hygiene training.Food Safety Management System (FSMS)A documented system of procedures and records that a food business uses to ensure food is safe to eat, as required by UK law.Confidence in Management ScoreThe EHO inspection score assessing how well a food business is managed, including systems, training, and the inspector's confidence that standards will be maintained.Critical Control Points (CCPs)Specific steps in a food production process where controls can be applied to prevent, eliminate, or reduce food safety hazards to acceptable levels.

Best hospitality software & tools

Independent comparisons of the 16 best software solutions for UK hospitality compliance and operations.

Software2026

Best Food Safety Management Software (2026)

The top food safety management platforms for UK hospitality businesses, compared.

5 options compared
Compliance2026

Best HACCP Software for UK Hospitality (2026)

Digital HACCP plan builders and monitoring tools compared for UK food businesses.

3 options compared
Operations2026

Best Temperature Monitoring Systems for UK Kitchens (2026)

Digital temperature logging and automated monitoring solutions compared.

3 options compared
Compliance2026

Best Allergen Management Software (2026)

Digital allergen tracking, menu labelling, and compliance tools compared.

3 options compared
Compliance2026

Best Digital SFBB Software (2026)

Digital Safer Food Better Business solutions compared for UK food businesses.

3 options compared
Operations2026

Best Hospitality Staff Training Platforms (2026)

Digital training, induction, and compliance learning platforms compared.

3 options compared
Operations2026

Best Insurance Management Software for Hospitality (2026)

Insurance tracking, document extraction, and coverage analysis tools compared for UK hospitality.

4 options compared
Operations2026

Best Complaint Management Software for Hospitality (2026)

Complaint tracking, categorisation, and AI trend analysis tools compared for UK hospitality.

4 options compared
Compliance2026

Best Risk Assessment Software for Hospitality (2026)

Digital risk assessment tools with AI generation, templates, and signature workflows compared.

4 options compared
Operations2026

Best Knowledge Management Software for Hospitality (2026)

Centralised SOPs, training materials, and operational knowledge tools compared.

4 options compared
Software2026

Best Hospitality Technology Communities and Resources (2026)

The Best Hospitality Technology Communities and Resources for UK Operators

5 options compared
Software2026

Best Hospitality Tech Stack for UK Restaurants (2026)

The Complete Hospitality Tech Stack: What Software UK Restaurants Actually Need

5 options compared
Software2026

Best Restaurant Technology Solutions UK (2026)

The Best Restaurant Technology Solutions for UK Businesses in 2026

5 options compared
Software2026

Best Food Safety Apps UK (2026)

The top food safety apps for UK hospitality, compared on mobile experience and compliance.

5 options compared
Software2026

Best Kitchen Management Software UK (2026)

Kitchen management platforms for UK hospitality, compared on compliance, operations, and team features.

4 options compared
Software2026

Best Restaurant Compliance Software UK (2026)

Restaurant compliance platforms compared for UK food safety, EHO readiness, and operational compliance.

4 options compared

Food safety by council area

EHO inspection guidance, registration info, and local tips for 142 UK council areas.

London

City of Westminster

Westminster City Council
North West

Manchester

Manchester City Council
Midlands

Birmingham

Birmingham City Council
Scotland

City of Edinburgh

City of Edinburgh Council
South West

Bristol

Bristol City Council
North East & Yorkshire

Leeds

Leeds City Council
North West

Liverpool

Liverpool City Council
Scotland

Glasgow

Glasgow City Council
South East

Brighton & Hove

Brighton & Hove City Council
Wales

Cardiff

Cardiff Council
North East & Yorkshire

Sheffield

Sheffield City Council
Midlands

Nottingham

Nottingham City Council
North East & Yorkshire

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle City Council
London

London Borough of Camden

London Borough of Camden
London

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

London Borough of Tower Hamlets
South West

Plymouth

Plymouth City Council
North East & Yorkshire

York

City of York Council
South West

Bath

Bath & North East Somerset Council
South East

Oxford

Oxford City Council
London

London Borough of Southwark

London Borough of Southwark
London

London Borough of Hackney

Hackney Council
London

London Borough of Islington

Islington Council
London

London Borough of Lambeth

Lambeth Council
London

London Borough of Wandsworth

Wandsworth Council
London

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
London

City of London Corporation

City of London Corporation
London

Royal Borough of Greenwich

Royal Borough of Greenwich
London

London Borough of Lewisham

Lewisham Council
London

London Borough of Newham

Newham Council
London

London Borough of Ealing

Ealing Council
London

London Borough of Haringey

Haringey Council
London

London Borough of Barnet

Barnet Council
South East

Reading

Reading Borough Council
South East

Southampton

Southampton City Council
South East

Portsmouth

Portsmouth City Council
South East

Canterbury

Canterbury City Council
South East

Guildford

Guildford Borough Council
South East

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
South East

Maidstone

Maidstone Borough Council
South East

Chichester

Chichester District Council
South East

Windsor and Maidenhead

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
South East

Crawley

Crawley Borough Council
South West

Exeter

Exeter City Council
South West

Cheltenham

Cheltenham Borough Council
South West

Bournemouth

BCP Council
South West

Taunton

Somerset Council
South West

Swindon

Swindon Borough Council
South West

Gloucester

Gloucester City Council
South West

Torquay

Torbay Council
South West

Salisbury

Wiltshire Council
Scotland

Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Council
Scotland

Dundee

Dundee City Council
Scotland

Stirling

Stirling Council
Scotland

St Andrews

Fife Council
Scotland

Inverness

Highland Council
Scotland

Perth

Perth and Kinross Council
Wales

Swansea

Swansea Council
Wales

Newport

Newport City Council
Wales

Wrexham

Wrexham County Borough Council
Wales

Aberystwyth

Ceredigion County Council
Wales

Llandudno

Conwy County Borough Council
Midlands

Coventry

Coventry City Council
Midlands

Leicester

Leicester City Council
Midlands

Derby

Derby City Council
Midlands

Wolverhampton

City of Wolverhampton Council
Midlands

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Midlands

Worcester

Worcester City Council
Midlands

Warwick

Warwick District Council
Midlands

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Midlands

Northampton

West Northamptonshire Council
Midlands

Lincoln

City of Lincoln Council
North West

Chester

Cheshire West and Chester Council
North West

Blackpool

Blackpool Council
North West

Preston

Preston City Council
North West

Bolton

Bolton Council
North West

Stockport

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
North West

Salford

Salford City Council
North West

Warrington

Warrington Borough Council
North West

Lancaster

Lancaster City Council
North East & Yorkshire

Harrogate

North Yorkshire Council
North East & Yorkshire

Kingston upon Hull

Hull City Council
North East & Yorkshire

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough Council
North East & Yorkshire

Durham

Durham County Council
North East & Yorkshire

Sunderland

Sunderland City Council
North East & Yorkshire

Scarborough

North Yorkshire Council
North East & Yorkshire

Wakefield

Wakefield Council
North East & Yorkshire

Huddersfield

Kirklees Council
London

London Borough of Brent

Brent Council
London

London Borough of Croydon

Croydon Council
London

London Borough of Enfield

Enfield Council
London

London Borough of Hillingdon

Hillingdon Council
London

London Borough of Hounslow

Hounslow Council
London

London Borough of Redbridge

Redbridge Council
London

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Richmond Council
London

London Borough of Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest Council
South East

City of Oxford

Oxford City Council
South East

Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes City Council
South East

Slough

Slough Borough Council
South East

Luton

Luton Borough Council
South East

Colchester

Colchester City Council
South East

Basildon

Basildon Borough Council
South East

Medway

Medway Council
South East

Hastings

Hastings Borough Council
South West

City of Bath

Bath and North East Somerset Council
South West

Plymouth

Plymouth City Council
South West

Poole

BCP Council
South West

Weymouth

Dorset Council
South West

Barnstaple

North Devon District Council
Midlands

Peterborough

Peterborough City Council
Midlands

Hereford

Herefordshire Council
Midlands

Telford

Telford and Wrekin Council
Midlands

Walsall

Walsall Council
Midlands

Solihull

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Midlands

Stafford

Stafford Borough Council
Midlands

Shrewsbury

Shropshire Council
Midlands

Rugby

Rugby Borough Council
North West

Wigan

Wigan Council
North West

Burnley

Burnley Borough Council
North West

Carlisle

Cumberland Council
North West

Crewe

Cheshire East Council
North West

Macclesfield

Cheshire East Council
North East & Yorkshire

Bradford

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
North East & Yorkshire

Rotherham

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
North East & Yorkshire

Doncaster

City of Doncaster Council
North East & Yorkshire

Barnsley

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
North East & Yorkshire

Grimsby

North East Lincolnshire Council
North East & Yorkshire

Whitby

North Yorkshire Council
Scotland

Falkirk

Falkirk Council
Scotland

Paisley

Renfrewshire Council
Scotland

Kilmarnock

East Ayrshire Council
Scotland

Ayr

South Ayrshire Council
Scotland

Dumfries

Dumfries and Galloway Council
Wales

Bangor

Gwynedd Council
Wales

Carmarthen

Carmarthenshire County Council
Wales

Bridgend

Bridgend County Borough Council
Wales

Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Wales

Barry

Vale of Glamorgan Council
Northern Ireland

Belfast

Belfast City Council
Northern Ireland

Derry/Londonderry

Derry City and Strabane District Council
Northern Ireland

Lisburn

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Northern Ireland

Newry

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Northern Ireland

Bangor, Northern Ireland

Ards and North Down Borough Council

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