What is Safer Food Better Business?
Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) is a food safety management system developed by the Food Standards Agency to help small food businesses manage food safety and comply with legal requirements.
If you run a food business in the UK, you are expected to have a system in place that shows how you keep food safe. For many small businesses, SFBB is the most commonly used approach.
SFBB is a practical system designed to help food businesses identify and control food safety risks. It is based on HACCP principles, which focus on identifying potential hazards and putting controls in place to manage them.
This guide explains what SFBB is, who it applies to, and how it is used in practice.
If you need an SFBB pack for your business you can order one here
Who needs to use SFBB?
Food businesses in the UK are expected to have a food safety management system. SFBB is widely used because it is simple, practical, and designed specifically for smaller businesses.
This includes food businesses such as:
- takeaways and cafés
- catering businesses
- food vans and stalls
- home-based food businesses
Larger businesses may use more complex systems, but the underlying requirement is the same: you must be able to demonstrate how you are managing food safety.
What does SFBB include?
SFBB is built around key areas of food safety, including how food is prepared, cooked, stored, and handled.
It typically includes guidance on:
- safe cooking and reheating
- chilling and storage
- cleaning routines
- avoiding cross-contamination
It also includes a diary section, where businesses record key checks and any issues that arise.
The aim is to show that you are managing food safety through safe processes and demonstrating that you are implementing these processes day to day.
How SFBB is used in practice
In day-to-day use, SFBB should form part of how your business operates rather than something you complete occasionally.
This means following the safe methods set out in the system, carrying out checks where needed, and keeping records up to date. Your SFBB pack should reflect how your business actually works.
Environmental Health Officers will expect to see that your SFBB food management system is being used properly. This includes checking that records are completed and that staff understand the procedures in place.
SFBB & food hygiene inspections
Your food safety management system is a key part of any food hygiene inspection. Inspectors will look at whether you have a system in place and whether it is being followed in practice.
They may review your records, check that safe methods are being applied, and ask questions to confirm your understanding.
A well-used SFBB system helps show that you are actively managing food safety, which can support a stronger inspection outcome.
Keeping your SFBB system up to date
As your business changes, your food safety system should be reviewed and updated to reflect those changes. This might include changes to your menu, equipment, processes, or staffing.
Keeping your system up to date helps ensure that it remains relevant and effective.
