What is included in a Food Safety Program?

A food safety program looks at each food process step in your business (from receipt of goods, to serving the food), and determines what kinds of food safety hazards could go wrong. For each step, procedures are written to control the food safety hazards, monitor food safety, and document your actions. A food safety program also has documented procedures for taking 'corrective action', that is, if something goes wrong, what action will your staff take to keep the consumer safe (and protect your business).

Food Safety Programs also include the systems you put in place for the whole business to keep food safe, such as cleaning, pest control, staff training and maintenance.

The benefits of a Food Safety Program include reducing the risk of food poisoning, having documented procedures and records to prove you have done all you reasonably can to keep food safe (a due diligence defence), reducing the attention of regulators, and improving staff and business compliance with food safety laws. A Food Safety Program can assist in giving you peace of mind, and can protect your reputation as a food business.