HACCP plan template

Most small UK food businesses do not need a full HACCP plan. SFBB (Safer Food Better Business) is the FSA's simplified system designed specifically for small independent businesses. It covers the same HACCP principles but in a practical, checklist-based format your EHO already knows and accepts.

You need a full HACCP plan if: you manufacture food (rather than just preparing and serving it), you have complex processes with multiple critical control points, you supply other businesses with food, or your local authority has specifically asked for one. For a restaurant, cafe, takeaway, or pub: SFBB is what your EHO expects. Read the full comparison.

The FSA provides free HACCP documentation on their website as part of the MyHACCP tool. This walks you through building a HACCP plan step by step and generates a PDF you can download. It is free and designed for small businesses.

Several accredited training providers also offer downloadable templates: Highfield, CIEH, and Virtual College all have free resources. However, a template is only the starting point. You must adapt it to your specific business, your specific processes, and your specific hazards. A generic template with no customisation will not satisfy an EHO.

A better approach for most small businesses: use a digital SFBB system instead of building a full HACCP plan from a template. SFBB includes all seven HACCP principles built into its daily checks, cleaning schedules, and review process. You get the same legal compliance with a fraction of the paperwork. Start your free trial and see how much simpler it is.