Food safety at shows and fairs

Food events, such as food festivals, agricultural shows and village fetes take place throughout the UK, usually in outdoor locations. Consumers’ overall satisfaction with the food purchased at such events is high and they have few or no concerns about the food safety on sale. A wide variety of foods, including some high‐risk products are offered for sale to the public. The temporary nature of these events and the vagaries of the UK climate can mean that traders/exhibitors have to cope with environmental conditions that are less than optimum. Organisers of such events are expected by traders/exhibitors to be knowledgeable on a range of relevant topics such as temperature control, display of open food, handwashing facilities, free samples etc. Guidance for traders/exhibitors and organisers of such events is available from local authority Environmental Health departments, and can be found in the Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice: Markets and Fairs.