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FOOD BUSINESS OPENING AND CLOSING CHECKS- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW



TABLE OF CONTENTS



 1. Why is it important to do opening and closing checks?
 2. Who should complete opening and closing checks?
 3. What opening and closing checks should be completed?
 4. Safer Food Better Business (SFBB)
 5. Recent posts
 6. FREE CHECKLIST!
 7. Here's how I can help you



For a food business to ensure food safety it is essential to complete opening
and closing checks each day. This is definitely something that the EHO or food
safety officer will look at during a food hygiene inspection. Without them, a
food business could receive a low food hygiene rating under the Food Hygiene
Rating Scheme. Opening and closing checks are very beneficial to a food business
as they ensure organisation and that all staff members know what they need to
do. This is especially important in a busy and fast-paced environment.

Opening checks are things that a business must check before opening. Likewise,
closing checks are those that must be completed before closing. These checks are
important to ensure food safety. By completing them a business will have the
opportunity to identify any issues and put them right quickly. This can be
extremely beneficial for the business.

Let’s take a closer look at why opening and closing checks are important for a
catering business, who should complete them and what sorts of opening and
closing checks should be completed.


WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DO OPENING AND CLOSING CHECKS?

A food business that completes the necessary opening and closing checks
demonstrates that they are trying to comply with food hygiene regulations. They
also help a business to operate in an organised manner. Completing opening and
closing checks poses many benefits including:

 * ensuring all staff are aware of their tasks and complete them in the correct
   order
 * helping each shift to run smoothly by ensuring the necessary checks are made
   at the right time
 * enabling corrective actions to be taken quickly with minimal disruption to
   the business
 * enabling the business to operate in an organised manner
 * ensuring that safe and high-quality food is served to customers
 * minimising customer complaints
 * ensuring that the business is following their food safety management system
 * ensuring compliance with legal requirements


WHO SHOULD COMPLETE OPENING AND CLOSING CHECKS?

Opening and closing checks may be divided between the front and back of house.
Front-of-house staff would normally be responsible for completing checks in
their area and the same for back-of-house staff.

Food business operators should ensure that their staff receive adequate food
hygiene training in how to complete the opening and closing checks as they
relate to their job role. Staff training is important in ensuring staff know how
to complete the opening and closing checks and what corrective action to take if
they find a problem.


WHAT OPENING AND CLOSING CHECKS SHOULD BE COMPLETED?

The following are examples of opening checks that a food business in the
hospitality industry may need to complete. These will of course vary depending
on the type of food business and the types of food handled. A food business may
wish to add extra checks.


FRONT-OF-HOUSE

Opening checks may include:

 * setting tables
 * organising menus
 * stocking the bar
 * having accurate allergen information for dishes available for customers with
   food allergies

Closing checks may include:

 * cleaning
 * emptying bins
 * restocking the bar
 * polishing cutlery and glasses


BACK-OF-HOUSE

Opening checks may include:

 * Making sure food deliveries have been checked and put away
 * cleaning and disinfecting food preparation surfaces and equipment (a cleaning
   schedule can be helpful here)
 * checking the temperatures of chilled storage equipment such as fridges,
   freezers and chilled display equipment to make sure they are working properly
 * checking that other equipment such as ovens are working properly
 * making sure food handlers are fit to work and wearing clean work clothes
 * making sure new food handlers have received training including an
   introduction to food hygiene practices and personal hygiene and are aware of
   the business’ approach to food safety
 * checking that all areas are free from signs of pests
 * checking that hot and cold water is available at all sinks and wash-hand
   basins
 * ensuring soap and paper towels are available at all wash-hand basins
 * ensuring cleaning equipment and products are available. Including sanitiser
   for cleaning and disinfecting food preparation surfaces and equipment
 * ensuring a working probe thermometer is available and probe wipes
 * ensuring that allergen information is accurate for all menu items
 * ensuring all foods are in date and any out-of-date foods are thrown away

Closing checks may include:

 * cleaning and disinfecting all food preparation surfaces and equipment (a
   cleaning schedule can be helpful here)
 * checking dates on foods and ensuring any out-of-date foods are thrown away
 * covering and labelling food and putting it away in the correct storage
   locations (i.e. fridge or freezer)
 * ensuring foods are stored to prevent cross-contamination (i.e. raw foods are
   stored away from cooked foods)
 * checking the temperatures of fridges, freezers and chilled display equipment
   to make sure they are still working properly
 * turning off ovens and other cooking equipment
 * cleaning floors and removing any debris
 * washing all utensils, equipment, dishes and cutlery
 * removing waste and putting new bags into the bins

It is helpful for a business to have an opening and closing checklist in place
that contains a list of tasks to be completed. This could be available as a
digital checklist. There are some digital systems that offer this including
FoodDocs and Safeintel.


SAFER FOOD BETTER BUSINESS (SFBB)

The Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) pack, produced by the Food Standards
Agency is a food safety management procedure that may be used by some catering
businesses. The pack contains a number of safe methods and diary sheets. These
diary sheets relate to opening and closing checks that a business may complete.
Any business using SFBB as their food safety management procedure should ensure
that they complete the daily checks and record these in the diary. The SFBB pack
can be downloaded for free here.

There is also the Safe Catering pack for use in Northern Ireland. The Safe
Catering pack can be downloaded for free here.


RECENT POSTS




TIPS TO KEEP CHILLED FOOD SAFE

Read More »


TIPS FOR GENERAL STORAGE AND FOOD HANDLING

Read More »


WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR EHO INSPECTION

Read More »


WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN EHO VISIT?

Read More »


HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR EHO INSPECTION

Read More »
PrevPreviousWhat food safety documents and records does a food business need?

NextThe importance of food handler personal hygieneNext



FREE CHECKLIST!

 * Be prepared for your Food Hygiene Inspection
 * Feel confident about achieving a Top Food Hygiene Rating for your business
 * Created by Chartered Environmental Health Officer, Natalie Stanton
 * Covers the 3 areas an officer will assess during your inspection

Get the FREE Checklist now


HERE'S HOW I CAN HELP YOU




Get food safety training from an Environmental Health Officer (EHO). 

This is the UK’s first self-taught, online Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene course
for Catering that is created and taught by EHO, Natalie Stanton. There are no
PowerPoint slides and no monotonous voiceover. In only 2 hours, Natalie guides
you through the key aspects of food safety in 13 short, pre-recorded videos.




HOW CAN I HELP YOU?


FREE 63-POINT CHECKLIST




Be prepared for your Food Hygiene Inspection.

Feel confident about achieving a Top Food Hygiene Rating for your business.

Created by Chartered Environmental Health Officer, Natalie Stanton.

Covers the 3 areas an officer will assess during your inspection

Get your free checklist now


NEED A LEVEL 2 FOOD HYGIENE CERTIFICATE?

Just a heads up. This Level 2 Food Hygiene for Catering course isn’t taught like
the others. 

It’s made up of short videos, delivered by an EHO, giving you confidence and
showing you how to work safely.


Learn more


LEVEL 3 FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE FOR CATERING COURSE




 

This will guide managers, supervisors and anyone else within a supervisory role
in implementing food safety management procedures and ensuring team members
follow good food hygiene practices.


Join the waitlist



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