Preventing and responding to food incidents

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has publishes guidance called Principles for Preventing and Responding to Food Incidents. If you run a food business, you should ensure that your documented food safety management system takes into account the advice in the guide. If you don't want to download it, call the FSA to request the guide on 020 7276 8448.

This aims to help food businesses prevent or deal efficiently with food incidents if they occur. The guide summarises current best practice and follows lessons learnt by all key stakeholders in the prevention and management of food incidents.

Food business operators are legally required to inform their local authority and the Food Standards Agency if a food incident occurs and there is reason to believe that food is not compliant with food safety requirements.

If the food is also considered injurious to health, food business operators must report the incident immediately to the FSA by calling 020 7276 8448 during in normal office hours or 0845 051 8486 outside of normal office hours.

You can also inform the FSA online using the incident notification report form.