FAQ

What is a Food Safety Management System?

A food safety management system (FSMS) is made up of all your policies and workflows that focus on food safety. It typically starts with building your Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and works as a continuous system of behaviours and checks for the safe handling, preparation and storage of food. The Food Standards Agency provides guidance on what a HACCP should include. The food business operator, owner or top management are responsible for implementing an FSMS and ensuring all legal requirements are met.

The key contents of a FSMS are:

• Food Safety Management Training
• Food Safety Policies
• Identifying potential food safety hazards
• HACCP
• Incident procedures
• Evidence and food safety documentation throughout the entire food process.
   

Why do I need a Food Safety Management System?

Having a FSMS is a legal requirement. It demonstrates your due diligence and commitment to the safety of your team and customers. A single lapse in food handling or preparation can lead to a negative review – and that’s the best-case scenario. At worst, severe consequences could include foodborne illnesses, legal liabilities, and damage to a business’s reputation. To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to have a robust FSMS in place. Having clear, detailed processes helps your team uphold higher safety standards. It also ensures your EHO will see the evidence of reliable food safety management practices in your business, positively impacting your food hygiene rating.

Why should I have a Digital Food Safety Management System?

Traditional paper-based processes can be cumbersome, with a lot to go wrong – from misplaced checklists and illegible handwriting to difficulty in tracking trends across multiple locations.

By embracing digitised processes with The Food Standards Provision, you get:

• Enhanced transparency
• Increased efficiency and accuracy
• Easy scalability
• Data-driven decision-making

Will my EHO accept a Digital Food Safety Management System instead of a paper one?

Yes! Our Digital Food Safety Management System was developed with Environmental Health Practitioners to create the best safety solution for hospitality and foodservice professionals. Your EHO will accept your FSMS in paper form, or you could impress them by giving them personalised access to your digital FSMS.