As well as carrying out routine inspections and investigations, the Public Protection team also give advice to the public and the business community on a wide range of food related matters. If you are starting up a business then it is very important to register your business and make contact with us well in advance so we can get you off to the right start with any specific advice you need.
If you require advice then please feel free to contact our officers who can provide a basic level of advice free of charge during inspection or over the phone.
If you require more bespoke advice specific to your business though then why not try one of our advisory sessions. These currently cost £150 including vat for 2 hours of independent advice from one of our Environmental Health Officers on whatever aspect of food hygiene you may need .
Some of the more common requests are from new businesses at planning stage on layout and design of your premises to avoid the risk of cross contamination; new or existing businesses on how to obtain or improve on the best food hygiene rating for your business etc. The advice can be designed specifically around what you need
Businesses that produce or prepare food for the public are inspected to make sure that their food is safe to eat. How often inspectors visit will depend on the type of business and its previous record. Some premises are inspected at least every 6 months, others less often.
If you produce or prepare food for the public, Regulation EC(No) 852/2004 (Hygiene on Food Stuffs), requires you to:
Further information on what is expected from you can be found here.
Officers will also inspect and consider compliance with Food Hygiene and Safety procedures (including food handling practices and procedures, and temperature control), and the structure of the establishment (including cleanliness, layout, condition of structure, lighting, ventilation, pest control, facilities etc.).
Our officers will look at how the business runs to identify potential hazards and to make sure that businesses are following the law. When officers think it is needed, they can take enforcement action to protect the public. Actions range from an informal request for improvement through to seizing foods or serving emergency prohibition notices, which can close a business immediately.
Food businesses are given a rating following a routine food hygiene inspection. The rating shows how well a business is complying with food hygiene law at the time of the inspection. Read more
Our team have provided useful documents for you to download to advise you on many aspects of food safety and hygiene:
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Guidance Notes
Standard requirements for food stalls and vehicles
Running a small food business from home
Food temperature control and monitoring
Food hygiene supervision and instruction and/or training
The safe production & service of ice
Health & safety (first aid) regulations 1981
For further information regarding Food Safety please visit The Food Standards Agency Website:
Introduction
Introduction – English Version
Introduction – Turkish Version
Introduction – Cantonese Version
Introduction – Bengali Version
Part 1
Newsletter - Part 1 - English Version
Newsletter - Part 1 - Welsh Version
Newsletter - Part 1 - Turkish Version
Newsletter - Part 1 - Cantonese Version
Newsletter - Part 1 - Bengali Version
Part 2
Newsletter - Part 2 - English version
Newsletter - Part 2 - Welsh version
Newsletter - Part 2 - Turkish version
Newsletter - Part 2 - Cantonese version
Newsletter - Part 2 - Bengali version
Part 3
Newsletter Part 3 - English version
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Newsletter Part 3 - Turkish version
Newsletter Part 3 - Cantonese version
Newsletter Part 3 - Bengali version
Part 4
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Part 5
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Part 6
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Part 7
Newsletter Part 7 - English version
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Part 8
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