Christmas food safety guidance for food businesses
Food businesses across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to prepare for the busy Christmas period with support from the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland.
Free resources to help your business comply with food safety rules
Food businesses across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to prepare for the busy Christmas period with support from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Northern Ireland.
Through its Safer Food Means Better Business campaign, the FSA is offering free training, checklists and guidance to help small and micro businesses manage food safety and hygiene during the festive rush.
Why focus on food safety at Christmas
The Christmas period brings extra pressure for food businesses. Higher customer demand, new seasonal menus and temporary staff can all increase the risk of mistakes in food handling, allergens and hygiene. Even minor errors can lead to serious incidents and cause reputational damage and loss of customer trust. The FSA campaign aims to help businesses stay compliant, protect customers and avoid preventable disruption at the busiest and most profitable time of the year.
Key actions for businesses
The FSA is encouraging businesses to:
- train seasonal staff on food hygiene and allergen management
- review allergen information for Christmas menus, specials and buffet options
- ensure temporary or pop-up stalls (eg Christmas markets) meet food safety rules
Businesses can use free guides, checklists and templates to reinforce day-to-day good practice, and keep operations compliant and running smoothly.
Access food safety resources on the FSA website.
First published 27 November 2025