Food and beverage compliance policies are essential for ensuring safety, satisfaction, and inclusivity at events. The first full week of November is Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week, sponsored by the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics. This week-long celebration highlights the importance of compliance and ethics across industries, emphasizing awareness, recognition, and reinforcement.
This is the perfect moment to closely examine policies in event food and beverage management.
Whether you’re an event planner or a caterer, having well-defined food and beverage compliance policies ensures that everyone’s needs are met safely and thoughtfully. What protocols do you have in place? Are they clearly documented for staff and clients?
Each policy—from allergen management to sustainability standards—plays a role in crafting memorable, compliant dining experiences. Here are some key F&B policy areas and questions to consider, helping event planners and food service providers take a proactive approach to compliance and ethics.
Allergen Protocols
Event Planners:
- How and when do you communicate attendee dietary needs (allergen, medical, religious, lifestyle, ability) to food service providers before events?
- What questions do you ask vendors about how they prevent cross-contact with allergens?
- Are you prepared to respond if an attendee experiences an allergic reaction on-site?
Caterers and Food Service Providers
- What are your protocols to prevent allergen cross-contact in the kitchen and when serving?
- How often do you train staff on allergen awareness and communication with guests?
- How do you handle last-minute allergen requests from guests, and what’s your plan if a reaction occurs?
Sustainability Standards
Event Planners
- Do you have sustainability requirements for your F&B providers?
- How are you collaborating with vendors to reduce food waste at your events?
- Do you communicate your event’s sustainability goals to attendees, and if so, how?
Caterers and Food Service Providers
- How are you incorporating sustainable practices, like local sourcing and waste reduction, into your services?
- Are you using compostable or reusable serving materials? What impact have you seen?
- How do you work with event planners to achieve sustainability goals?
Inclusion and Accessibility
Event Planners
- How do you ensure menus reflect diverse dietary needs and cultural or religious preferences?
- Is your food labeling clear and accessible for guests with dietary restrictions?
- Have you gathered attendee feedback on dietary or accessibility needs, and do you use it to improve future events?
Caterers and Food Service Providers
- How do you incorporate attendee dietary restrictions and cultural needs into your menus?
- Do you have clear and accurate labeling for all menu items? What processes ensure this?
- Are you equipped to accommodate last-minute dietary requests, and how do you work with planners to create an inclusive menu?
Transparency in Ingredient Sourcing
Event Planners
- Are you confident in the transparency of your caterer’s ingredient sourcing? Is that important to you?
- Do you require vendors to meet ethical sourcing and sustainability standards? How do you evaluate them?
- How do you communicate ingredient-sourcing practices to attendees?
Caterers and Food Service Providers
- How do you ensure ingredients align with ethical sourcing and quality standards?
- Are your ingredient-sourcing practices shared openly with planners and attendees?
- What process do you follow to vet suppliers for ethical and sustainable practices?
Food Safety & Hygiene Protocols
Event Planners
- What food safety protocols do you expect from your F&B providers?
- Do you address hygiene and food safety standards with vendors in planning discussions?
- How are food safety standards monitored throughout the event?
Caterers and Food Service Providers
- What systems are in place to ensure food safety from prep to service?
- How frequently do you train staff on hygiene and food safety standards?
- Are there protocols for reporting and managing any safety concerns during events?
So, what are your must-have policies for managing F&B?
Let’s celebrate Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week by sharing ideas that make events safe, inclusive, and respectful for everyone at the table!
Ready to take your F&B policies to the next level? Reach out to me today, and let’s create food and beverage experiences that are safe, inclusive, and unforgettable!
