Food safety guide
What is SFBB? Safer Food, Better Business explained
Safer Food, Better Business (SFBB) is the Food Standards Agency food safety management approach used by many UK food businesses. It helps a business identify hazards, define safe methods, keep daily records and review whether controls are working.
Reviewed for UK food businesses · 2 August 2026
At a glance
What SFBB is designed to do
SFBB turns general food hygiene principles into routines for a particular business. It asks the operator to describe how food is received, stored, prepared, cooked, cooled, reheated and served, then to keep evidence that the safe methods are followed. The pack is not a substitute for understanding the hazards in the menu and premises.
The main parts of an SFBB pack
A typical pack includes safe methods, a diary, cleaning information, opening and closing checks, temperature records, corrective actions and review prompts. The exact records should reflect the business. A cafe, takeaway, school kitchen and care home may need different controls even though the principles are shared.
- Safe methods and business-specific procedures
- Daily diary and checks
- Temperature and cleaning records
- Corrective actions and management review
How the diary fits into daily work
The diary is evidence of what happened, not a form to complete at the end of the month. Entries should be made at the required frequency, by the person responsible, with failures and actions recorded. Managers should review the diary and use it to identify recurring equipment, training or process problems.
SFBB and inspections
An EHO will consider whether the business manages food safety in practice. They may ask to see the system, observe staff, inspect the premises and discuss how failures are handled. A complete pack helps, but it does not compensate for unsafe behaviour or a procedure that the team cannot explain. The best preparation is consistent daily control.
Paper or digital SFBB
SFBB is a method, not a requirement to use a particular format. Paper can work when it is maintained and reviewed. Digital records can make assignments, missing checks, corrective actions and multi-site review easier. Whichever format is used, the business must retain accessible evidence and keep its procedures current.
Making SFBB business-specific
The value of SFBB is in the detail that reflects the actual operation. A procedure should describe the equipment, foods, temperatures, time limits and responsibilities used by that business. If a safe method says one thing but the kitchen routinely does another, update the method and train the team rather than relying on an unused template.
Review the pack after a menu change, new equipment, building change, incident, complaint or inspection feedback. Keep a simple revision record so staff know which version is current and managers can explain why a procedure changed.
What good review looks like
Review is more than signing the front page. Look for missing entries, repeated failures, corrective actions that remain open and controls that staff cannot explain. Speak to the people doing the work and observe the process. A review should result in a decision: continue, retrain, repair, change the method or investigate further.
Digital tools can help surface gaps, but the responsibility remains with the food business. Keep access available during an inspection and ensure the team can continue safely if a device, connection or service is temporarily unavailable.
Frequently asked questions
Is SFBB a legal requirement?
Businesses must operate safe food procedures based on HACCP principles. SFBB is an FSA management approach that many businesses use to meet that responsibility; it is not the only possible format.
What records are part of SFBB?
The pack commonly includes safe methods, diary entries, cleaning and temperature records, corrective actions and review evidence, adapted to the business.
Can SFBB be digital?
Yes. A digital system can represent the same controls and evidence if it remains accessible, accurate, current and usable by the business.
Put this into practice with Localyn
Localyn gives cafes, restaurants and takeaways a digital SFBB diary, temperature and cleaning records, allergen management and inspection-ready reports — all in one place.