Safe to Trade Recognised within a Primary Authority Inspection Plan

We are excited to announce that a Safe to Trade Inspection Plan has been granted consent by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the government department that runs the Primary Authority scheme. The Inspection Plan is administered by Milton Keynes City Council, the Primary Authority for Shield Safety, the Certification Body for Safe to Trade

Safe to Trade is the first comprehensive UK third-party food safety assurance programme for the hospitality sector. The Government recognition of the Safe to Trade National Inspection Plan marks a clear step forward to a more intelligence led approach in how Safe to Trade certified venues are inspected and will support greater consistency for businesses operating across multiple local authority areas. It also reflects the growing role that robust, independently assessed, food safety management programmes can play in more modern risk-based regulatory systems as a way to better target local inspections

What the Inspection Plan Does

The Inspection Plan sets out how local authorities in England should carry out inspections for certified venues listed on the Safe to Trade Directory.

Certified venues will receive more focused inspections, using an agreed format reflecting:

• The strong food safety compliance systems in place
• The technical standards in the Safe to Trade programme
• Safe to Trade’s independent auditing and governance

The aim of the Inspection Plan is to reduce duplication, improve consistency and ensure inspection activity is targeted where the risk is greatest, while recognising businesses that are investing in strong food safety compliance measures. This has the potential to allow regulators to give more focus to food businesses without such robust food safety systems and oversight and therefore likely to be of higher risk

Why This Matters

• Regulator confidence: The Inspection Plan status reflects Government confidence in Safe to Trade as a credible and structured approach to food safety assurance.
• Consistency for operators: A national, structured approach reduces variation between local authorities and provides a clearer framework for demonstrating compliance.
• Public reassurance: With 78% of diners checking hygiene information before choosing where to eat, recognition strengthens confidence in venues meeting strong standards.

Part of Shield Safety’s Shield Assure Solution

Safe to Trade is a core component of Shield Assure, Shield Safety’s integrated safety and compliance solution.

Shield Safety acts as the Certification Body for Safe to Trade, carrying out independent audits and certification decisions, to provide the oversight that underpins the programme.

Sector Commentary

Clare Lycett, Senior Practioner, Environmental Health Primary Authority Lead Officer, Milton Keynes City Council:
“This Inspection Plan provides a clear, consistent and proportionate approach for local authorities when inspecting Safe to Trade certified venues.”

John Barnes, former Head of Local Delivery at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Safe to Trade Independent Governance Board member adds:
“This recognition demonstrates Safe to Trade’s technical credibility, governance and integrity. Importantly too, the role that independently assessed, compliance programmes can play in more modern risk-based regulatory systems as a way to better target local inspections.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this change the legal requirements for food businesses? Statutory food hygiene regulations remain the same. The Inspection Plan clarifies how participating local authorities should assess Safe to Trade certified venues?

Do venues still receive inspections? Yes, however, Safe to Trade certified venues will receive more focused inspections against key criteria in line with the Inspection Plan, rather than full inspections. This has the potential to allow regulators to focus on food businesses without robust food safety systems and oversight, and therefore likely to be of higher risk

Do all local authorities follow the Plan? Participating local authorities must follow the Inspection Plan when inspecting Safe to Trade certified venues.

Does Safe to Trade replace food hygiene ratings? Safe to Trade is an independent assurance programme and does not replace the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

Find out more about how your business can become Safe to Trade certified: Contact us here.