Legislation checklist: Food and drink

Operators of food and drink businesses must comply with the following legislation. This is not an exhaustive list, and legal advice should always be taken before making any business decisions.

Food safety

• The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and equivalent legislation in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland require food business operators to ensure that the products are safe for human consumption. The main provisions include premises registration, food safety management systems, staff training, and cleaning and maintenance regimes.

See also: Health and safety guidelines for rural businesses

• Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 on the Hygiene of Food of Animal Origin requires businesses that handle or prepare products of animal origin that are to be supplied to trade customers (such as restaurants and caterers) to be approved by the environmental health department of their local authority, unless they are exempt because the produce they supply is 'marginalised, localised or restricted'.
• The Provision of Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 requires food business operators to provide consumers with certain information about the products that they supply, for example, information about ingredients and allergens.
• The Food Safety Act 1990 and equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland make it an offence for UK food producers to process food in a way that makes it harmful to human health.