A new British Retail Consortium (BRC) guide to providing retailers with advice on how to comply with food hygiene legislation has been released.

The Food Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice: Retail Guide has been developed with close collaboration with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The guide provides practical guidance on how businesses should meet food safety requirements and will help all businesses work towards a consistent level of food hygiene.

Andrew Opie, BRC director of food policy, said: “The BRC’s Retail Guide is an effective tool to help retailers understand how to meet food hygiene legislation.

“The guide is officially recognised by the Food Standards Agency. It provides businesses - both large and small - with useful explanations and practical guidance on how to meet food safety requirements and to show enforcement officers that regulations are being complied with.”

Sarah Appleby, head of enforcement at the FSA, said: "Good food hygiene should be at the heart of any well-run food business. Although the use of this guide is optional and businesses can choose to comply with legislation in other ways, those that follow the guide may find it easier not only to abide by the law but also demonstrate they are doing so to enforcement authorities.”