Why compliance is essential

by GoodFood Consulting EN | Mar 2, 2020 | Food law, Quality & operational procedures | 0 comments

All companies handling food at any stage of processing are legally required to comply with hygiene and safety regulations in order to protect consumer health.

Unfortunately, many business owners fail to comply fully with these obligations, and non-compliance often leads to significant financial penalties.

This article highlights the most common mistakes made by operators and the fines they may face.

1. Lack of cleanliness on the premises

Working with food in an unhygienic environment poses serious risks to public health.

Often the owner only becomes aware of the problem after an incident occurs.

Staff hygiene is also frequently underestimated, usually due to inadequate training in hygiene and health.

Failure to comply with hygiene requirements can result in fines ranging from €500 to €3,000 depending on the severity.

2. Manual taps and waste bins

Another common mistake is installing manual taps in kitchens because they are cheaper than pedal or sensor-operated models.

The law prohibits them as there is a high risk of bacterial contamination when touching the valves with dirty or clean hands.

The same applies to staff toilets, where non-manual sinks are required, and to waste bins, which should be pedal-operated or swing-lid models to prevent contamination.

3. Other hygiene and safety requirements

Order and organization in the workplace not only improve efficiency but also reduce risks of non-compliance.

• An orderly environment makes it easier to track food expiry dates.
• A simple oversight can lead to heavy fines during an inspection, ranging from €6,000 to €40,000.

Special attention must be given to the HACCP self-control manual, which is mandatory and must be tailored to the business.

Failure to comply with HACCP requirements can result in fines from €1,000 to €6,000.

To ensure full compliance with hygiene and safety law, it is strongly recommended to consult a qualified food safety professional who can provide expert guidance and help implement the correct procedures.