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Food Law Inspections and the Role of Environmental Health Officer

Portsmouth City Council is obliged to make sure that all high risk food businesses in the City are inspected.  The Authority also has an alternative enforcement strategy for low-risk businesses.

How often will I be inspected?

How often we inspect your premises depends on the type of business you operate and the inspection risk rating from previous inspections  Seasonal factors and the hours of operation of the food business are taken into consideration.

When will I be inspected?

Officers from the Public Protection Service may come on a routine usually unannounced visit or as a result of a complaint.  They have the right to enter and inspect food premises at all reasonable hours.  The time taken to inspect your business will obviously depend on its size and the risks associated with the food operation.

You can expect the officer to show identification and be polite throughout the visit.  There is a leaflet that you will be left called "Food Law Inspections and Your Business" which provides information on what you can expect when an officer inspects your business.

What is the role of the enforcement officer?

• Provide advice and assistance to businesses to help them comply with food safety legislation and maintain a high standard of food hygiene
• To carry out inspections of food premises, for which the council is the enforcing authority and institute action as necessary in accordance with the Council's Enforcement Policy
• Investigate complaints about food premises
• Investigate cases of food poisoning and advise upon precautionary and control measures
• Sample food from local businesses and arrange for microbiological testing
• Develop "Home Authority" partnerships.  This means working closely with local food businesses, which also have outlets outside or distribute outside the City.

What should I expect on an inspection?

The inspection process begins with a review of information held on file.  The inspection will begin with the officer advising on what he/she intends to do.  The officer must then get to know the scope of the business, the relevant food law that applies and the food operations taking place.  A detailed inspection will then be carried out during which the officer will be gathering and recording information from the observation of practices, procedures and processes, and discussions with food handlers, contractors, proprietors and managers.

What power does the enforcement officer have?

Enforcement officers are authorised to:

• Take samples, photographs or inspect records
• Serve an improvement notice if you are breaking the law
• Detain or seize suspect foods
• Serve an Emergency Prohibition Notice which forbids the use of the premises or equipment (this must be confirmed by a court)
• Recommend a prosecution, in serious cases (can lead to a fine or imprisonment).

What will the enforcement officer be assessing?

The officer will assess and verify appropriate hazard analysis or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety management systems, to confirm that controls are in place and operating effectively and ensure that appropriate corrective action is taken when necessary.  The officer will also try to establish whether food is being handled and produced hygienically, is safe to eat, and that relevant temperature controls are being observed.  The officer will identify any actual or potential breaches of food law and, if appropriate, gather and preserve evidence.

What will happen at the end of the inspection?

The officer will at the end of the inspection, discuss any contravention of food law discovered, any corrective action necessary, the timescale for corrective action, any further action the officer intends to take and any recommendations of best/good practice that the officer considers appropriate.

In this closing discussion, and in subsequent reports or correspondence, the officer will clearly differentiate between actions required to comply with legal requirements and recommendations of good practice.

 

 

Associated documents:

• Enforcement Policy  (0.38 MB)

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