Food safety
During the course of the year many departments and sections will organise functions where food is served. The preparation of food presents significant risks if good hygiene measures are not followed. A serious food safety incident could affect many people, impacting on the University's reputation and potentially resulting in prosecution. Small scale food preparation for social purposes, such as a small group of people bringing in some cakes or sandwiches to celebrate a birthday, falls outside the scope of the Food Safety Act.
However the Food Safety Act and associated Regulations would apply to functions funded by a department or section.
The Food Safety Act requires the University to exercise "due diligence" to ensure that persons partaking of food and drink do not suffer any ill affects.
Where the department or section engages the services of the University Catering Service the "due diligence" requirements will have been met.
However there may be occasions when the department or section wishes to engage the services of an external caterer, or to prepare the food and drink in the department or section. In this case the department or section will have to ensure that the due diligence requirements are met, by ensuring that caterers are competent and observe food hygiene requirements.
Forms and guidance
Guidance notes
- Guidance for people working in a food handling area (.docx)
- Guidance for people working in a food handling area (.pdf)
- Guidance for managers of people working in a food handling area (.docx)
- Guidance for managers of people working in a food handling area (.pdf)
Questionnaire
Occupational Health questionnaire for food handlers/visitors/returning from period of sickness absence/returning from abroad:
What needs to happen
Caterers
If you are using an outside caterer, whether they are a professional company or a member of staff who provides a catering service, you must ensure they are registered with the Local Authority. Evidence of the registration must be provided.
If evidence of registration can not be shown the caterer must not be used.
When placing an order with a caterer you should establish if the food or drink which is to be provided needs to be held at a specific temperature, if it is not to be consumed immediately.
Members of staff who might serve the food or drink to others will under the Regulations be deemed to be "Food Handlers" and as such must be aware of the measures which must be used. These measures will include separation of cooked and uncooked food, clothing, hygiene and cleanliness arrangements.
If someone was to be taken ill after the event the Environmental Health Officers who would investigate the incident would require evidence of "due diligence". The provision of evidence would be the responsibility of the department or section.
Preparation of Food
Departments and sections are strongly recommended not to undertake the preparation of food themselves.
The University is seen as one entity by the enforcers and they would therefore expect any department or section who prepares food for consumption to operate the same standards as a professional caterer.
Unless a Department or Section are able to operate and provide evidence of these standards they should not undertake the preparation of food.
Barbecues
Departments and sections have in the past booked the University’s Barbecue range between the Lakes for functions.
Functions which involve the use of any Barbecue are subject to the Food Safety Act and organisers must be able to demonstrate "due diligence".