Inspections
We carry out regular checks on all food premises to ensure the public is protected and that standards are maintained.
Visits to premises may be carried out with or without prior notification and are priority programmed according to the degree of potential risk posed by the food business. This ensures that higher risk premises are visited more frequently than those in lower risk categories.
During an inspection, officers will want to reassure themselves that food businesses operate effective food safety management procedures based on HACCP principles (hazard analysis critical control point). They will want to review the training of managers and food handlers to ensure that it is suitable, and they will check that the condition of the premises and equipment is satisfactory, for example, that they are clean and in good repair.
Where practices or conditions are not satisfactory, every attempt will be made to resolve the situation by informal means, but where poor conditions persist, or where there is a risk to public health it may be necessary to resort to formal action. This could involve either the service of legal notice, prosecution, or in extreme cases closure of the business.
All action taken by officers will be in accordance with the:
Food Safety Enforcement Policy (Word Document: 111Kb / 15 pages).
Guidance
We have produced lots of guidance for different types of businesses. There is also guidance on producing HACCP systems. See Food Hygiene and Safety Guidance.
The Food Standards Agency also provides a wide range of advice for food businesses, and small caterers and retailers should take a look at the Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) packs they have produced. These are simple fact sheet systems that tell food business operators how to ensure that the most significant hazards in their food business can be safely controlled.Further useful information can be found in the booklet produced by the Food Standards Agency called Food Hygiene - a Guide for Businesses.
To obtain a copy of the SFBB packs, or a booklet, which are free of charge, contact the Food Standards Agency by calling 0845 606 0667 or email foodstandards@ecgroup.uk.com, or the packs and the booklet can be viewed on the Agency's website at http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/regulation/hygleg/hyglegresources/sfbb/.
Alternatively, the SFBB packs or a booklet or both can be obtained from us, telephone 01768 212491 or email env.health@eden.gov.uk.
For further Information:
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Contact: Food, Health and Safety Team
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Address: Environmental Services Section, Eden District Council, Mansion House, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7YG
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Telephone 01768 212491
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Email: env.health@eden.gov.uk
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Fax: 01768 890372
