With Christmas on the horizon, many food businesses are preparing for one of their busiest trading periods of the year.

As part of its ‘Safer Food Means Better Business’ initiative, the FSA is providing free training, checklists and practical guidance designed to help small and micro businesses maintain strong food safety and hygiene standards.

Extra Attention Needed at Christmas

The festive period often places additional pressure on food businesses. Increased customer demand, wider menu offerings and the reliance on temporary or seasonal staff can all heighten the chances of errors – particularly in areas such as food handling, allergens and hygiene procedures.

Even minor oversights can cause issues for your business and lead to avoidable disruption during a crucial time for profitability.

Practical Actions to Consider

Steps you may wish to take during the Christmas season include:

  • Ensuring temporary and seasonal staff receive appropriate training in food hygiene and allergen controls.

  • Reviewing allergen details for Christmas menus, festive dishes and buffet options to ensure all information is correct.

  • Confirming that any temporary operations – such as stalls at Christmas markets or pop-up venues – comply fully with food safety regulations.

If you would like additional support in preparing your food business for the festive period, professional guidance is available.

To review the FSA’s guidance for food businesses, see here