ACS

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has awarded grants of nearly a million pounds to help retailers and caterers improve food safety. Local authorities will administer the grants of up to £50,000. This is the third year that the FSA has given these grants as part of its ongoing commitment to help food businesses comply with EU hygiene regulations.

Applications for the grants were invited in May and applications were internally appraised and considered by an external appraisal panel on 7 August. The panel had representatives from local authorities and LACORS (Local Authorities Coordinator of Regulatory Services) The Agency received 40 applications for grants and 26 were successful, involving 69 local authorities and a range of other organisations.

The grants will help almost 5,000 businesses to implement Safer Food better Business (SFBB) – an innovative and practical approach that helps small businesses put in place food safety management systems. SFBB has been developed by the FSA in partnership with industry and local authorities.

The FSA recently launched a highly visual and interactive DVD with voiceovers in 16 languages specifically designed to engage businesses with language needs. Many of the groups that applied for the awards will use this in their schemes.