Food Takeaway / Delivery Business Advice
We understand that as result of the impact of Covid-19, many businesses are looking to make provision for takeaways and deliveries where they have not previously done so before.
Scientific advice is that it is very unlikely that COVID-19 can be spread through food, but, if you are changing how you are used to operating then you should think through the hazards and ensure that you have control measures in place.
- A business or voluntary organisation providing food must be registered with us. https://folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/environmental-health/food-hygiene-and-food-safety/register-food-premises
- All foods must be delivered to consumers in a way that ensures that they do not become unsafe or unfit to eat.
- Foods that need refrigerating must be kept cool while they are being transported. This may need to be packed in an insulated box with a coolant gel or in a cool bag.If you are transporting hot food, it should be kept hot. This may need to be packed in an insulated box. It should reach the customer as soon as possible – Ideally within 30 minutes but not longer than 2 hours.
- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have provided advice for business – ‘How to manage a food business if you sell products online, for takeaway or for delivery.’ ‘https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/distance-selling-mail-order-and-delivery
- Allergens – There is a wealth of advice for businesses on allergen management on the FSA website at https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses
Contact-free delivery
- Limiting contact when delivering orders will help keep everyone healthy, so you could consider leaving deliveries at the door of your customer, rather than handing it over to them.
- Knock on the door step back at least 1 metre and wait nearby for your customer to collect it.
- Take payments over the phone or Internet rather than taking a cash payment.
Infection Control
- You have responsibilities to ensure food handlers are fit for work under the food hygiene regulations.
- You have a general duty to ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of persons in your employment and members of the public.
- Relevant staff must be provided with clear instructions on any infection control policy in place
- Any person so affected and employed in a food business and who is likely to come into contact with food is to report immediately the illness or symptoms, and if possible their causes, to the food business operator.
The Government have issued guidance on COVID-19 for employees and businesses https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
However, this is not specific for food businesses, but it does advise that ‘if you have been asked to self-isolate, you can order by phone or online, such as through takeaway services or online shopping deliveries. However, make sure you tell the delivery driver that the items are to be left outside, or as appropriate for your home’.
If you are undertaking deliveries, then you should have a system in place to ascertain/develop a system whereby clients can notify the restaurant/delivery drivers whether they are self-isolating so that action can be taken accordingly as highlighted above.
