Behind the Headlines - Registration of Food Businesses

There's been a lot of questions on social media today about the registration of 'honesty boxes' with our Environmental Health Team - here's a bit of clarification on some of the points being raised.

Did the Council shut down the Deelicious Honesty Box?

From the outset we have to be absolutely clear that we did not say that the Deelicious Honesty Box had to shut down – this was a decision taken by the owners of the box after they received a letter from us.

We think the work that Robert has put into his fundraising is absolutely brilliant – and we’re keen to support him in this by ensuring he’s got the right systems in place so he can carry on with his excellent initiative.

We’ve been in touch with Robert and his Mum today - and we’re looking forward to working alongside them to help him meet the requirements if he wants to continue.

What is the Council’s involvement here?

Firstly, this is not about OIC policy, but UK law.

The legislation places an obligation on all food producers to ensure that all their activities are carried out in a hygienic way.  Since 1991 anyone producing food for the public - large and small, profit or non-profit – has been required by law to register with the Council – strictly speaking even a vending machine has to be registered.

Registration is free and via a simple one page form – with tick boxes – and many businesses do this as a matter of course, including honesty boxes.

Once a business is registered, it’s then our job to ensure that the food producer is meeting hygiene requirements. We’ll meet with them, review their current workspace, discuss with them any issues we identify and then support them in making and changes or improvements required.  

It’s not about being heavy-handed - it’s about protecting and supporting the operators - and the folk buying their food.

He’s not a business though – he’s fundraising for good causes – surely the law shouldn’t apply here? What about cake sales/bingos etc – do they need to apply for registration too?

There is an exemption for non-continuous activities so making a cake for a bake sale at school for example would not require registration. If it’s ongoing production – like Robert has been doing – then the rules do apply.

Will all honesty box owners be receiving a letter?

There are honesty boxes scattered around Orkney, but we don’t have a definitive list. Our message for other operators is please come forward, if you haven’t already, and we can help you too - just like we’ll help Robert if he wants - to get to where you need to be in terms of the rules surrounding food preparation and production.   Don’t forget that registration is free of charge

If you would like to arrange an appointment to discuss registering a food business or for any other related guidance and advice, please contact the Environmental Health team on 01856873535.