Enforcing Food Safety and Food Standards

Authorised Environmental Health Officers and Technical Officers are responsible for enforcing food legislation.

Food Safety

Officers carry out the following food safety functions:

• Routine programmed inspection of food businesses, with a frequency determined by a risk assessment, with appropriate follow-up action.
• Investigation of food complaints and complaints of unhygienic premises with appropriate follow-up action.
• Participation in national and local sampling programmes
• Investigate food poisoning cases and outbreaks
• Provision of information and advice to businesses about legal requirements and good practices
• Provision of food hygiene courses for food businesses
• Promotional activities to inform and encourage high standards in businesses (see pages on the Food Hygiene Award for further details)
• Promotional activities to educate the consumer in food hygiene and safety

Food Standards

Officers are concerned with the following:

• Routine programmed inspection of food businesses, with a frequency determined by a risk assessment, with appropriate follow-up action.
• Chemical contamination of food and improper use of additives.
• Labelling offences and misleading claims.
• Quality and nature of food, e.g. cod sold as haddock.
• Adulteration of food.

Should you require further assistance please contact Environmental Health Officers on 01429 523340.