Displaying chilled foods

If a product needs to be stored refrigerated, then it must be stored at or below

However, for the purpose of display for sale and service it is allowable for such foods to be out of cold storage for a maximum of four hours in total and on condition this only happens once.

For foods that must be stored refrigerated, only remove them from the chiller when an order is placed and return them to the unit immediately after service.

If you wish to take advantage of the four-hour exemption for display purposes, then you must have a system in place to prove the four-hour rule is never exceeded.

If using a refrigerated window display unit, bear in mind that the equipment may struggle to maintain food at or below if it is in direct sunlight.

This advice is an excerpt from the Guild of Fine Food’s Assured Code of Practice for Deli Retailing. The guide is available in PDF format (free for Guild members, £250+VAT for nonmembers) To request a copy of the Code, email support@gff.co.uk

Alright, you lot. Show me the money. It’s cash up front for ice cream now. Who knows how many of you will run for it.

Whoa, whoa! I need to see your receipt before you leave.

But you literally just sold these things to me…

FFD says: While shoplifting is undoubtedly a problem for all food retailers, you still need to be careful how you handle it. Yes, some security measures and deterrents might help you reduce losses but how far should you go if it is alienating honest, paying customers? As always, communication is key. If you can explain why you’ve had to move that big-ticket item out of reach, or if you can be polite about what might seem like accusatory behaviour, then customers might not feel as put out.