does a non food business require a food hygiene certificare

eranou

Hoping someone can answer this.

My friend runs a computer repair business and has recently started to offer a one day training course that shows people the basics of computer repair, the price he charges for the course includes a lunch provided by a local caterer (soup,sandwiches crips etc).

He has been told by someone else that he cannot include these lunches without a food hygiene certificate.

Is this correct? even though he isn't preparing the food himself

Thanks

texranger

eranou wrote: »

Hoping someone can answer this.

My friend runs a computer repair business and has recently started to offer a one day training course that shows people the basics of computer repair, the price he charges for the course includes a lunch provided by a local caterer (soup,sandwiches crips etc).

He has been told by someone else that he cannot include these lunches without a food hygiene certificate.

Is this correct? even though he isn't preparing the food himself

Thanks

a food hygiene certificate is something an individual is awarded when they site a course.

as they are not preparing the food themselves i doubt they need one, but the best people to ask this is the local authority as these vary from county to county

bris

No you don't need one, you only need one if you prepare food on the premises.

McKneff

Common sense says 'no'

The local caterer doing the catering would be the one to need one.

paulwf

Does the caterer drop the food off in advance for you to serve later on? If that is the case it would be worth talking to them to see what guidelines they can give you. If soup needs reheating or sandwiches are left out of the fridge for several hours there could be potential risks that need addressing.

Your caterer should know how the local EHO works so should be able to advise on any conditions you need to fulfil to keep them happy.

TrixieB

Check with the local council. As an example - registered childminders need to have a certificate and some areas inspections by EH even if all they do is store a lunchbox and plate it up at lunchtime.

eranou

paulwf wrote: »

Does the caterer drop the food off in advance for you to serve later on? If that is the case it would be worth talking to them to see what guidelines they can give you. If soup needs reheating or sandwiches are left out of the fridge for several hours there could be potential risks that need addressing.

Your caterer should know how the local EHO works so should be able to advise on any conditions you need to fulfil to keep them happy.

the caterer brings the food round at the time its to be served so no need for storage or reheating (their premises are just round the corner).

He has told me the person who advised him this was a health and safety officer.

TrixieB

eranou wrote: »

He has told me the person who advised him this was a health and safety officer.

Well I guess he had his answer all along then!

texranger

i would still personally speak tot the health officer of the local authority then you get it from the horses mouth

im-lost

it would depend on how its all delivered, if sandwiches are on trays etc
and just cling filmed / foiled up then there will be no need for a food
hygiene certificate. as the food is delivered ready to eat so to speak,
so all the handling / preparation would come under the caterers own
certificate.

If the food needs to be warmed, plated etc etc then a certificate would
be needed.

paulwf

To help clarify there are two separate things that might be required, though you can only find out what is needed by phoning the council and asking to speak to their environmental health officer.

Firstly the EHO may wish to inspect your premises and make sure they are hygienic, you don't get a certificate as such (though many councils now operate "scores on the doors") but that might be what your caterer means.

The second option would be a personal food hygiene certificate (level 2). The training course for this can be done online in 2 hours for £25 so not a lot of hassle to get one sorted if required.