Inverclyde

The authority had developed and implemented a detailed official feed and food controls service plan 2011-2012, which satisfies the service planning guidance in the Framework Agreement. The service plan had been approved by the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee in May 2011.

The authority had developed documented policies and operational procedures relating to their food law enforcement responsibilities, including a detailed food safety inspection form based on evaluating the food safety management system in use at businesses. These documents were available to all officers in electronic format on a central directory and those evaluated at audit contained up to date references to legislation and official guidance.

Authorisation documents were appropriate, comprehensive and being used by officers across the food service. Officers were subject to regular reviews of performance.

Training records contained evidence that officers had completed a minimum 10 hours relevant training in the last year and that officers conducting inspections had received training in HACCP principles.

The procedures and documentation provided for inspections were being appropriately and consistently completed. From the files examined it was evident that officers were clear on the authority’s procedure for conducting inspections and adhered to the authority’s enforcement policy.

File checks of six general food hygiene premises confirmed that in all cases the authority were completing detailed inspections, including the assessment and recording of HACCP based food safety management systems. Food business operators were provided with clearly worded letters confirming the main findings from inspections. The information retained within the premises files provided sufficient evidence to support the basis for officers’ enforcement decisions.

The authority has a food safety enforcement policy and procedure in place, however this has not been approved. The authority advised that the policy was due to be reviewed and updated following publication of the FSA’s ‘E. coli O157: Control of Cross Contamination’ Guidance.

It was evident from audit checks that Officers were taking a graduated approach to enforcement and actively worked with businesses to achieve compliance. The information reviewed relating to Enforcement Notices identified that the decisions reached and actions taken were appropriate to the contraventions identified.

Internal monitoring procedures and practices indicated that the authority was monitoring many aspects of food law enforcement work. Records were retained on file.