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Daily food safety diary for mobile caterers
Your daily diary is the written evidence an EHO wants to see. Here is what to record each trading day and how opening, closing and cleaning checks differ.
What goes in a daily diary
- Opening checks — completed before you start serving (fridges cold, hand-wash stocked, surfaces clean).
- Closing checks — gas and power off, unit secured, waste dealt with.
- Cleaning sign-off — recorded separately after your clean, against your cleaning schedule.
- Trading location — log where you pitched; EHOs cross-reference pitch records.
Mark anything that doesn't apply to your setup as "not applicable" so it doesn't leave a gap.
Opening vs closing vs cleaning
Keep them distinct: opening checks confirm you're safe to trade, closing checks confirm you shut down safely, and cleaning is signed off on its own schedule. Bundling them together is a common reason records look thin at inspection.
Do this in seconds, not on paper
VanGuard logs every check on your phone and exports an EHO-ready report in one tap. 14-day free trial, no card required.
Start your free trialFAQ
Do mobile caterers need a food safety diary?
Yes — UK food businesses must keep written records of their daily safety checks, and a daily diary of opening, closing and cleaning checks is how most mobile caterers do it.
What are opening and closing checks?
Opening checks confirm you're ready to trade safely (fridges cold, clean surfaces, hand-washing available); closing checks confirm you've shut down safely (gas/power off, unit secured, waste handled).
The diary is the bit people stop filling in
Not because they're careless — because it's the end of a 12-hour day. VanGuard turns the whole diary into about 40 seconds on your phone.
Start your free trial 14 days free · no card required · £7.99/month afterGeneral guidance for UK mobile caterers, not legal advice — check the specific requirements of your local authority.