Food Hygiene: A Basic Overview
Food has always been central to faith communities. However, Food Hygiene and Allergen Management can be easily overlooked in our church family!
This article offers some practical areas for churches to review when handling or serving food. Because every church operates differently, there is no single checklist that fits all situations. You should therefore assess the specific food activities taking place in your own setting and ensure that you understand your Trustees Legal Requirements under Food Law. For the latest regularly requirements see the Food Standards Agency website.
Churches often provide food in a wide range of contexts, such as coffee mornings, toddler groups, bring and share community events, Alpha courses, food banks and more. Because of this variety, it's important to think carefully about food hygiene, safety, documentation and allergen management.
Firstly, map out what happens in your church?
Before anything else, map out exactly what food handling or preparation takes place, both for main church events and for midweek groups. This includes simple tasks such as chopping fruit for toddlers or serving packaged biscuits.
Registering for Food Hygiene with your Local Authority?
Local Authority requirements will be on their website. Churches may be considered food businesses if food is prepared or served regularly. Serving high‑risk foods, or serving vulnerable groups, may trigger registration. Infrequent, low‑risk events often do not require registration.
Work with your local authority to establish documentation that suits your church and covers the areas you work in, rather than the detailed documentation they may provide to local businesses operating daily, where some of the checks may not be relevant, such as stock rotation.
Training:
Clearly define roles and responsibilities for those leading or working in the kitchen. Consider who needs to complete appropriate food hygiene courses to understand safe practices, risks, and responsibilities. Training records should be kept to evidence formal training and that staff/volunteers understand your procedures.
Allergies:
This is a critical area and is literally life and death for some, If you are a registered food business, you will need to follow the allergen rules.
Consider how your church handles this, from the basics of keeping food wrappers for purchased food during an event, to ensuring cooks know how to identify ingredients and servers know who to ask for allergy information. Tips – consider producing allergy check lists for use with each item/meal prepared. Ask in advance for allergy information when people book into events, so you can be better prepared.
Documentation:
Have a clear, documented food hygiene procedure, including food handling/preparation, allergen management, temperature controls, cleaning schedules, alongside clear checklists to document this for those working in your kitchen. Consider appointing a lead person to complete these for each event/activity.
Tips: have stickers showing date opened/date to be used by for fridge items and a system for keeping receipts for food. Don't forget to include pest control, with elements around cleaning and regular waste removal.
NB: There will also be premises standards such as handwashing facilities, ventilation, and appropriate floor/wall coverings which your local authority will discuss with you on registration.
Food Banks/Food Pantries:
If you hold/store fresh or frozen food consult your local authority for Food Hygiene requirements.
Bring and Share:
This is a very common occurrence for communities and can be very difficult for those amongst us with allergies/health issues. Think about ways to not only reduce the risk of food being poorly prepared at home but also how to make these events inclusive with general community food hygiene guidance. https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/providing-food-at-community-and-charity-events
We'd love to hear from you if you have a topic you want covered in In Focus or if there's something that you wish you'd known more about when you started in the role. Please help us by completing this short form HERE.
Lastly, don't forget the UCAN Facebook Forum for Administrator and Manager level members - a great place to ask questions, share resources and find inspiration!