Event safety

Food supplied, sold or provided at charity or community events, such as street parties must comply with food law and be safe to eat. 

Here are some general practical tips for when you’re making food for larger numbers of people 

• prepare food in advance and freeze it, if you can, but ensure the food is properly defrosted before you use it
• wash your hands regularly with soap and water, using hand sanitisers if hand washing facilities are not available. If you use gloves make sure that you change them each time you change your task
• always wash fresh fruit and vegetables
• keep raw and ready-to-eat foods apart
• do not use food past its use-by date
• always read any cooking instructions and make sure food is properly cooked before you serve it. Undercooked food is one of the main causes of food poisoning – take extra care to thoroughly cook meat on a BBQ
• ensure that food preparation areas are suitably cleaned and sanitised after use and wash any equipment you are using in hot soapy water
• keep food out of the fridge for the shortest time possible. Do not leave cooked food (particularly meat and cooked rice) outside at ambient/air temperature for more than 2 hours

For further advice can be found on the Food Standards Agency website

• Providing food at community and charity events