Inspections
Our Role
The purpose of an Inspection
Who will inspect your business?
What will the inspectors do when they visit?
What are you entitled to expect from the inspectors?
What can you do if you do not agree with the
inspectors action?
What happens if my practices are consistently good,
and the inspector is confident that they will remain good?
Can inspectors take food samples?
Guidance on Regulations
-------------------------------------
Our Role
The role of the food safety team is to protect health by assuring the safe production, preparation and distribution and supply of food within the 1200 food premises in Guildford Borough and promoting the health of the population. This is achieved by assisting businesses in complying with food safety legislation.
The Purpose of an Inspection
Whilst the primary responsibility for identifying food hazards and controlling risks rests with food businesses, food hygiene inspections undertaken by Guildford Borough Council's team of environmental health professionals serve the following purposes:
- To establish whether food is being handled and produced hygienically.
- To establish whether food is, or will be having regard to further processing, safe to eat.
- To identify foreseeable incidences of food poisoning or injury as a consequence of consumption of food.
We have the main responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990, and food safety regulations made under the Act in all food premises located within the Borough.
Who will inspect your business.?
Environmental Health Officers have the right to enter and inspect food premises at all reasonable hours. They do not have to make an appointment and they will usually come without advance notice. Inspectors might come on a routine inspection, and how often this will be will depend upon the type of business and its previous record. Some premises may be inspected at least every 6 months, others much less often.
What will the inspectors do when they visit.?
The Inspector will look at the general operation of the business, identifying possible hazards and ensuring that it complies with the food safety laws. We recognise that most businesses want to comply with the law and will therefore take care to help food businesses and others meet their legal obligations without unnecessary expense. However inspectors do have powers which they can use when they think it necessary to do so, which includes the following:
- Take samples and photographs and inspect records.
- Write to your informally, asking you to put right any problems.
- Serve an “Improvement Notice” for issues of non-compliance with the law, which will also outline the things to be done in order to comply.
- Detain or seize suspect foods.
- Serve an “Emergency Prohibition Notice” which forbids the use of premises or equipment {Note: this must be approved by a Court}.
- In serious cases, recommend a prosecution.
What are you entitled to expect from the inspectors.?
- A courteous manner.
- To be shown identification.
- Feedback from any inspections, such as information about hazards which have been identified and guidance on what you must do to comply with the law.
- To be given the reasons in writing for any action you are asked to take.
- Where there is an apparent breach of the law, a statement of what that law is.
- Reasonable time to meet statutory requirements, except where there is an immediate risk to public health.
- To be told the procedures for appealing against Local Authority action.
What can you do if you do not agree with the inspectors action.?
If you do not agree with the action taken by an inspector, you should first contact the head of Environmental Health to see if the problem can be resolved informally. If you are still unhappy with the outcome, you may approach your local Councillor.
If you think that your Local Authority is applying the law in a different way from other authorities you can seek advice from LACORS.
You have the right to appeal against an Improvement Notice or refusal by a Local Authority to lift an emergency prohibition order, however this must be carried out in a Magistrate’s Court.
What happens if my practices are consistently good, and the inspector is confident that they will remain good.?
Ultimately you will be inspected less frequently. However you may also be eligible for a food hygiene award. Guildford Borough Council actively support the nationally recognised Heartbeat Award. You are eligible to receive the award if you comply with the following criteria:
- Your eating areas are non-smoking
- All staff have received at least the CIEH Foundation Certificate in food hygiene (formally known as the Basic Food Hygiene Certificate)?
- That the premises comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations
- That you offer healthy food choices.
Can inspectors take food samples.?
Yes, inspectors do have the power to take formal food samples, but they will on occasions take informal samples to check on the bacteriological condition of food.
If samples are taken, the officer will usually reimburse the cost. It will be placed into a sterile bag and sealed to prevent tampering. Most food items will then be placed into a cool box and sent to the Public Health Laboratory for microbiological testing.
The food safety team do have a sampling programme in which they have committed to take 150 food samples a year from various premises within the borough.
Re-samples may be taken when unsatisfactory results are identified.
Samples may also be taken as a result of receiving a complaint.
Guidance on the Regulations
The Department of Health website contains information on food safety for businesses. For ease, we have provided links to the most relevant guidance.
Guide to Food Hygiene
Food Safety Regulations
Food Law Inspections
Industry Guides
Industry Guides give advice to food businesses on how to comply with food safety regulations. They are officially recognised by Government. The range includes the following titles.
The Catering Guide
The Retail Guide
The Market and Fairs Guide
The Wholesale Guide
The Baking Guide
The Fresh Produce Guide
The Butcher's Guide
The Vending Guide
The Flour Milling Guide
The Guides are published by Chadwick House Group Ltd. You can order them on line at www.shop.cieh.net or by calling 020 7827 5882