Member Article

National Safer Food Campaign Launched on Teesside

Councils across the Tees Valley have teamed up with local training providers to launch a new campaign to help companies around the region to meet with important EU food hygiene legislation.

The legislation, which came into force on 1 January 2006, lays down general hygiene rules for the production of all food.

‘Safer Food Tees Valley’- launched by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) at Tall Trees earlier this week(1st February 2006) - will provide free help to food businesses to help implement the regulations which require them to have a documented food safety management system in place. To make the process easier, the FSA has developed a free and easy to use pack called ‘Safer Food Better Business’ (SFBB).

Food business operators can use this to help implement their written food safety procedures and demonstrate compliance with the new laws. And now Safer Food Tees Valley is offering businesses the chance to take up free courses to help them understand the guidelines. Garry Weeks, project co-ordinator for Safer Food Tees Valley and a senior lecturer in the School of Science and Technology at the University of Teesside, explained: “For the first time businesses will have to demonstrate in writing what they’re doing to make sure that food is safe to eat.

“Safer Food Tees Valley is a chance for anyone involved in the catering industry in the area to take advantage of a range of free courses and support which will help them to ensure that they comply with new regulations and improve the way in which they run their business.” Safer Food Tees Valley is now offering companies free assistance which includes an introductory workshop, a coaching workshop and continuing support provided by visiting consultants who help ensure the required regulations are in place.

For more information contact Helen Hood or Karen Bell on 01642 225661.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .