Consultation closed on 12 March 2007
Consultation was invited between 12 January 2007 and 12 March 2007 by submitting an online form or writing to the council's Health and Environment Team Manager.
The council's approach to the enforcement of Food Safety reflects the responsibilities placed upon it by the Food Safety Act 1990, Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006, General Food Regulations 2004, the Official Feed and Food Control (England) Regulations 2006 and other regulations.
Enforcement Guidance
The Authority's approach will also comply with the statutory Code of Practice issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the guidance produced by the Local Authorities' Co-ordinating Body on Regulatory Services (LACORS).
It will also reflect the principles of the Enforcement Concordat, which has been adopted by the council.
Depending on particular circumstances, the Council will use a variety of means to ensure food safety. Enforcement action may take the form of verbal warnings, written warnings, statutory notices or prosecution.
The choice of course of action will be primarily based upon an assessment of the risk to public health (i.e. the probability of harm to health occurring due to non compliance with food safety law).
Formal action will not be used to address minor technical contraventions that pose little or no risk to health.
Procedures
All officers authorised by the Council under the Food Safety Act 1990, Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006, General Food Regulations 2004, the Official Feed and Food Control (England) Regulations 2006 and other regulations will adhere to this policy and divisional Food Safety Procedures.
Any departure from the policy and procedures must be exceptional, capable of justification and be fully considered by senior management before the decision is taken (unless it is considered that there is significant risk to the public in delaying the decision).
You can download the draft Food Safety Enforcement Policy in PDF format below.
