Hi The legal requirements for producers of high risk foods (like the type you are recieving) is that it should be produced and either placed under temperautre control at of below 8 degrees centigrade or can stored at ambient temperautres but must be either use, consumed within 4 hours, if not consumed within the 4 hours then the food should be disposed of. This is often refered to as the 4 hour rule. I would recommend you check with your supplier to see if they are delivering the sandwiches under temperautre control. I would then check the food core temperature on arrival and if it is below 8c apply the 4 hour rule from time of delivery. However if your supplier is not delivering the food under temperaure control this may cause more of a problem because obviously the 4 hour rule should be started from the time the sandwiches are produced and you maybe exceeding this by the time you eat the food. hope this answers your concerns

It would be worth asking your supplier the questions highlighted above, and ask them to supply a note on the buffet stating what time it must be consumed by. Ian

or a mains powered fridge (<£100 at major retailers) which will also allow storage of cool drinks. Needs cleaning regularly.

Totally agree with the above, however it is also worth noting that the 4hr rule used to be termed an 'exemption', but is now termed a 'defence' and as such it is up to the supplier to be able to prove that they are complying with the 4hr rule. As a contract caterer we provide hospitality to our suppliers and we give a buffet disclaimer stating when the buffet was prepared and the time it should be consumed by (we usually work on 2-3 hours) e.g. Buffet required for 1230, we prepare at 1100 (refrigerate), deliver at 1215 and put a consume time of 1400 on the disclaimer (3hrs).