We’ve developed a robust yet simple Food Safety Management System (FSMS) available in the Documents section of the Volunteer Hub that all FWHs have to follow. It is reviewed every year by our Primary Authority and is based on a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) study.
Here is a list of issues relating to food safety that you need to be aware of.
Allergens:
To avoid issues with food allergies or intolerances, it is very important that FWHs have the information needed to make safe food choices. Check out our Allergens FAQ for more details. But remember:
Allergen information must always be available to the end consumer
Only collect undamaged packaged items with clear ingredients and allergens.
Do not identify loose bakery items, name them ''loose bakery items'' instead.
❓Find more information in our FAQ: Food Waste Hero: Allergens.
Bakery items:
When collecting loose bakery items:
Always take photos, so requesters can see for themselves.
Do not identify loose bakery items, name them ''loose bakery items'' instead.
If no hand-washing facilities are available, please use hand sanitiser and/or tongs when handling unsealed items (e.g. pastries, baked goods or anything that can't be washed).
Requesters can identify and find allergen info on the allergens web page.
❓Find more information in our FAQ: How to share unpackaged food items.
Food types:
There are 4 types of food you might collect:
1. 🥫 Ambient foods such as cans, packaged biscuits, whole fruit & veg, pastries, and bread.
2. 🍱 Chilled foods such as packed sandwiches, ready meals and yogurts.
Must be refrigerated as quickly as possible and always within 1.5 hours of collection.
Keep chilled to maximum 5°c until sharing.
3. 🌯 Hot foods such as toasties, pies, soups, and stews.
Must be at least 63°c at the time of collection.
If hot food is not in hot hold at the time of collection or if you think the food is not hot enough, ask a member of staff to control the temperature. If it is below 63°c, reject it.
Hot food must be redistributed within 1.5 hours of collection OR refrigerated once hand warm and then redistributed within 24 hours.
4. ❄️ Frozen foods such as peas, pizzas, and meat.
Food collected frozen must be placed in a freezer below -18°c as quickly as possible and always within 1.5 hours of collection and shared within 1 month OR thawed in a refrigerator until completely defrosted and shared within 24 hours.
Check out our dedicated page on frozen foods.
“Use By” and “Best Before” dates:
As a FWH, the most important things to remember are:
“Use By” dates are all about safety - There must not be any listings, or even pick-ups arranged, for items that have passed their “Use By” dates. Please ensure that such items are listed for the correct amount of time under “List for” when adding your listing.
“Best Before” dates are all about quality. Chilled and ambient foods with a “Best Before” date can be shared beyond that date, as long as they look and smell fine.
Please always ensure any use by or best before date is clearly visible in your listing photo 📸
❓Check out our dedicated FAQ: What’s the difference between ‘Use By’ and ‘Best Before’ dates?
Condition | Guideline | Examples |
Food with a Use By date | Must be shared by midnight of that date | Fresh dairy, pre-packaged salads, raw meat, fresh fish, etc. |
Hot or chilled food with no date | Must be shared within 24 hours of collection time | Some catering food and deli items |
Ambient food with no date | Use your best judgement on quality. Items can be shared as long as they look and smell fine. | Some fruit and vegetables |
Chilled and ambient food with a Best Before date | Use your best judgement on quality. Items can be shared as long as they look and smell fine. | Some yogurts, and dairy products, canned food, cereal, rice, pasta (dry), or sealed snacks |
Storage and sharing locations
FWHs must share food from their registered home location.
Food must be stored in your kitchen, not in another room, on a clean, hard surface (e.g. table, kitchen counter, shelf), never on the floor and away from pets and children.
🔴 Do not store food on the floor
🔴 Do not store food on laps, sofas or other soft surfaces
✅ Food safely stored on a table
Your health
Do not volunteer to collect and share food as a FWH if you or anyone in your household is ill. Please find cover by pausing or skipping your collection slot via the Volunteer Hub.