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Food Safety - Food Safety Inspections

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Food Safety Inspections

The Food Safety Team carry out regular checks on all food premises in the Borough to ensure that the public is protected and that high standards of food hygiene and food safety are maintained. All businesses that manufacture, pack, store, supply or sell food (including drink) will be inspected.

Inspection of premises can take place at any reasonable time with or without prior notice. Sometimes we make appointments for visits. If a food safety officer calls they will show you their identification and authorisation, which you are entitled to see.

Why do we inspect and investigate?

We visit your premises for various reasons. It may be a routine inspection, part of a routine sampling programme, special survey, or as a result of a complaint. Officers will also visit you to provide advice at your request.

How often will my premises be inspected?

When you are inspected the officer gives the premises a rating from A to E using a national risk-based assesment.

The rating determines how often the premises will be inspected.

'A' Every 6 months

'B' Every 12 months

'C' Every 18 months

'D' Every 2 years

'E' Every 3 years

The officer will be happy to explain the rating you have been given.

What happens during a visit?

Food Safety Officers have a right to enter the premises at any reasonable time or when they suspect there may be a particular problem. They are entitled to assistance and to have their questions answered. During the visit they are legally entitled to talk to employees, take samples, photographs and if necessary seize or detain food. Obstructing a food safety officer is an offence.

Officers may ask to see documentation such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) assessments, Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) documents, temperature records, training records, pest control records or cleaning schedules, which should be kept available at the premises for inspection.

At the end of the inspection the officer will inform you of their findings and what further action, if any, they will be taking. They will discuss with you the time allowed for complying with the law. Generally, you will be given a reasonable period of time to improve standards although some requirements may demand your immediate attention. You will usually be given a report of the inspection at the time or a copy may be left on site for you. Occasionally a letter will be sent to confirm the inspection and report on the findings.

What action can a Food Safety Officer take?

Hygiene Improvement Notices

In certain situations, where the matter is considered to be more serious or where the food business operator has previously been instructed to act and has failed to do so, a Hygiene Improvement Notice may be served. This requires specific improvements within a specified time. Failure to comply with the Hygiene Improvement Notice would constitute an offence which would result in further legal action. Where the food business operator disagrees with the notice they have the right to appeal the notice in a Magistrates' Court. The rights of appeal are always explained fully at the time the notice is served.

Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice

If the officer considers there is a serious and imminent danger to health or food safety he may serve an Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, which effectively closes the premises until remedial work has been carried out and the premises are returned to the required standard. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice may also be served preventing a particular practice or use of equipment or part of the premises. Food business operators could voluntarily agree to close their business but this must be discussed and agreed with the officer at the time.

Seizure and detention of food

If food is found to be "unsafe" it may be seized or detained at the time.

The action taken will depend on the severity of the problem and past record of the business. However, officers may decide to prosecute if the problem is serious enough. This may lead to fines up to £20,000 in a Magistrates Court. In Crown Courts higher penalties including prison sentences can be imposed.