Understanding UK Food Safety Regulations for Kitchen Equipment

Why Food Safety Regulations Matter

Every professional kitchen, no matter its size, is responsible for producing food that is safe to eat. In the UK, this means following strict food safety regulations designed to protect the public and ensure businesses run responsibly. For any restaurant, bakery, catering company, or food production facility, compliance isn’t optional, it’s essential. Your kitchen equipment plays a major role in meeting those standards.

When your equipment does not meet safety expectations, your entire operation is at risk. From contamination to temperature control, even small oversights can lead to serious breaches. That’s why understanding UK food safety regulations and choosing the right commercial kitchen equipment go hand in hand.

The Core of UK Food Safety Law

The foundation of food safety in the UK comes from the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. These laws make it a legal requirement to handle, prepare, and store food safely. Local councils, working through Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), enforce these standards with regular inspections.

Businesses must also comply with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles. This system identifies potential hazards in food production and sets out preventive measures. HACCP covers everything from receiving goods to serving meals—and your kitchen equipment is part of every step.

Key takeaway: Your equipment isn’t just a tool. It’s part of your compliance system. Keeping it clean, maintained, and fit for purpose supports your HACCP plan and protects your food hygiene rating.

Equipment Design and Material Standards

The UK’s food hygiene guidance requires that all kitchen surfaces and equipment be easy to clean, durable, and resistant to corrosion. Poor-quality or worn equipment can harbour bacteria in cracks or joints, increasing the risk of contamination.

Look for equipment made from stainless steel or other non-absorbent materials. Avoid surfaces that flake, rust, or absorb moisture. Equipment should also allow for easy disassembly, so staff can clean components thoroughly between uses.

Refurbished equipment, when supplied by a trusted provider like Herits, meets the same hygiene and safety standards as new. Each machine is fully reconditioned and tested to ensure compliance with UK regulations. That means you can invest confidently in refurbished catering equipment without compromising on safety.

Temperature Control: The Most Common Cause of Non-Compliance

Improper temperature control remains one of the biggest causes of food safety violations in UK kitchens. Regulators require that:

• Chilled food be stored at 8°C or below.
• Hot food be held at 63°C or above.
• Cooked food be reheated to at least 75°C before serving.

Your kitchen equipment must be capable of maintaining these standards, even during busy service periods. That includes reliable refrigeration units, accurate thermometers, and calibrated cooking systems.

Herits helps operators choose commercial kitchen equipment that maintains steady temperature ranges under real working conditions. From energy-efficient chillers to high-performance ovens, the goal is consistency—because a stable temperature is your first line of defence against contamination.

Ventilation and Extraction Standards

Good ventilation is critical to maintaining safe air quality and reducing grease buildup that could cause fires. The UK’s Building Regulations Part F and BS EN 16282 standards outline how commercial kitchens must manage airflow, canopy size, and grease filtration.

Key compliance points include:

• Effective capture of heat, steam, and grease-laden vapour.
• Adequate air replacement (make-up air) to prevent negative pressure.
• Regular filter cleaning and duct maintenance.

Non-compliant ventilation systems can lead to both food safety and fire risks. Herits supplies and specifies extraction equipment that meets UK standards and integrates smoothly into kitchen designs for lasting performance.

Gas and Electrical Safety

Only registered professionals should install or service gas and electrical appliances. Gas engineers must be Gas Safe registered and qualified for the commercial catering category. Electricians should be accredited under UK standards such as BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations).

Businesses are legally responsible for keeping certificates up to date and ensuring regular inspection. Isolation switches, interlocks, and emergency cut-offs must be easy to access and clearly labelled.

Herits supports clients by coordinating installation through approved professionals, helping operators remain compliant and confident.

Cleaning, Maintenance, and Documentation

Cleanliness is a regulatory requirement. EHOs expect to see documented cleaning schedules, maintenance logs, and staff training records. Equipment should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s guidance, using approved food-safe detergents.

For refurbished equipment, Herits provides cleaning and maintenance documentation as part of every sale. This ensures operators can integrate the machinery directly into their food safety management systems from day one.

Sustainability and Compliance: Working Together

Sustainability and compliance increasingly overlap in catering. Refurbished commercial kitchen equipment reduces waste and carbon emissions while supporting the UK’s broader environmental goals. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations require businesses to dispose of old appliances responsibly, and working with certified refurbishers like Herits helps fulfil those obligations.

By investing in high-quality refurbished machinery, operators can reduce environmental impact while maintaining strict safety standards, a win-win for business and the planet.

Building a Culture of Food Safety

Compliance is an ongoing process. A culture of safety starts with training, trust, and reliable tools. Every member of your team should understand not just what the rules are, but why they matter.

Herits partners with businesses across the UK to build that confidence, supplying commercial kitchen equipment that’s tested, certified, and backed by expert support. The result is peace of mind and a kitchen that’s inspection-ready every day.

Herits: trusted equipment, trusted service, trusted results.

Visit herits.co.uk to explore our range of compliant, dependable commercial kitchen equipment.