As anyone who has been following this blog will know, food safety regulations don’t just apply to those people to whom working with food is a fundamental part of their profession; the latest food hygiene legislations cover just about anybody whose job could bring them into contact with food at any time.

Last week, the FSA launched a new guide in their Safer Food, Better Business range; an information pack designed to help childminders comply with the latest food hygiene legislations.  Although it may seem obvious that childminders have a role involving knowledge of food safety, it is not immediately apparent that they are obliged to comply with EU Food Hygiene Legislation.   Specifically designed around the role of the childminder, this guide makes their legislated responsibilities easy and quick to handle, with a minimum of paperwork.  Amongst other things, it includes advice on food allergies, feeding babies and the cleaning, cooking and chilling involved in food preparation.  Like other Safer Food, Better Business packs, the childminder’s pack utilises a system known as reporting by exception; by only writing down problems, or things that go wrong, there is a minimum of extra work involved, yet a simple way of conducting reviews to identify persistent food safety problems!