What is HACCP and why does it require a cleaning schedule?

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a food safety management system required by UK law for food businesses. A documented cleaning schedule is a core HACCP requirement — it specifies what is cleaned, when, how, with what chemicals, and by whom. Inspectors will ask to see your cleaning schedule.

What tasks must be on a HACCP cleaning schedule?

At minimum: food contact surfaces (after each use), floors (daily), equipment (daily), fridges exterior (daily) and interior (weekly), ovens (weekly), extraction system (weekly), walls and ceiling (monthly), drains (weekly), and waste areas (daily). Each task should specify the method and chemicals used.

How should cleaning be recorded for HACCP compliance?

Each cleaning task should be signed off by the person who completed it, with the date and time. Use a checklist format that is easy to fill in during service. Records should be kept for at least 12 months for inspection purposes. Digital record-keeping is acceptable.

What happens if the cleaning schedule is not followed?

Failure to follow a cleaning schedule can result in enforcement action from the Environmental Health Officer, including improvement notices, hygiene emergency prohibition notices, or prosecution. It can also lead to a poor food hygiene rating, which is publicly displayed.

CleanCalcs

HACCP Clean Schedule Calculator

Build a HACCP-compliant cleaning schedule with frequencies and total weekly hours.

Cleaning Staff

Staff assigned to cleaning

Operating Days per Week

Shifts per Day

More shifts = more cleaning cycles

Hourly Rate

Optional — for cost estimate

How We Calculate This

How the calculation works

This calculator totals up standard HACCP cleaning tasks with their required frequencies to estimate total weekly cleaning time.

Standard HACCP tasks included

Worktops & food surfaces: after each use (~6/day), 10 mins each
Floors: daily, 20 mins
Equipment surfaces: daily, 15 mins
Fridges (exterior/interior): daily/weekly
Ovens, filters, walls, drains, bins: weekly/monthly

Formula

Weekly total = sum of (task time × frequency × shifts per day)

Per staff member = weekly total ÷ number of cleaning staff

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities and timings for your specific situation.