Is HACCP Mandatory for Cafes? (Official UK/EU Requirements)

Key Takeaway

Introduction to HACCP and Regulation 852/2004

The EU's Regulation 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs requires all food businesses, including cafes, to implement a HACCP-based food safety management system. This regulation applies to all stages of food production, processing, and distribution, from farm to table. The primary objective of HACCP is to identify and control potential hazards in the food production process, thereby preventing foodborne illnesses.

What is HACCP?

HACCP is a systematic approach to identifying and controlling hazards in the food production process. It involves a series of steps, including:

• Hazard analysis:
  • identifying potential hazards in the food production process
• Critical control points (CCPs) identification:
  • determining the points in the process where hazards can be controlled
• Establishing critical limits:
  • setting limits for each CCP to ensure that hazards are controlled
• Monitoring and corrective action:
  • regularly monitoring CCPs and taking corrective action when necessary
• Verification:
  • regularly verifying that the HACCP system is working effectively

UK and EU Requirements for Cafes

In the UK and EU, all food businesses, including cafes, are required to implement a HACCP-based food safety management system. This means that cafes must:

• Conduct a hazard analysis to identify potential hazards in their food production process
• Identify CCPs and establish critical limits for each CCP
• Implement a system for monitoring and controlling CCPs
• Establish procedures for corrective action when CCPs are not met
• Regularly verify that the HACCP system is working effectively

Regulation 852/2004 Requirements

Regulation 852/2004 requires food businesses, including cafes, to:

• Have a permanent food safety management system in place
• Keep records of their HACCP system, including hazard analysis, CCPs, critical limits, and monitoring results
• Ensure that all staff are trained in food safety and the HACCP system
• Regularly review and update their HACCP system to ensure it remains effective

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with Regulation 852/2004 and implement a HACCP-based food safety management system can result in serious consequences, including:

• Prosecution and fines
• Closure of the business
• Damage to reputation and loss of customer trust

Conclusion

In conclusion, HACCP is a mandatory requirement for all food businesses, including cafes, in the UK and EU. Regulation 852/2004 requires cafes to implement a HACCP-based food safety management system, which involves identifying and controlling hazards in the food production process. By complying with this regulation, cafes can ensure that they are providing safe food to their customers and avoiding the consequences of non-compliance. Save time by using the iLoveHACCP builder to generate your plan in minutes.

Further Reading & Tools

Ensure your business is fully compliant by exploring our other resources:

What you'll learn

• How this HACCP topic applies in real-world operations
• Common hazards and practical controls to reduce risk
• Records and monitoring that auditors expect to see

• Legal Guide:
  • HACCP Requirements in the UK & EU (Regulation 852/2004) - A plain English explanation of what the law requires.
• Free Tool:
  • Use our HACCP Builder to generate a compliant plan in minutes.
• Related Article:
  • Do I Need HACCP if I Only Sell Drinks? (Rules for Cold vs. Hot Beverages)