Tourist Information

Food Safety

Introduction to Food Safety

The aim of the Borough Services Directorate through its Food Service provision is to protect consumers by ensuring that all food manufactured, prepared or supplied within the Borough;

Complies with the food safety requirements and is of the nature, substance and quality demanded;
Is of an acceptable quality and composition and is accurately labeled, presented and advertised.
To protect and promote the health of the public through health education, consumer awareness and participation in multi-disciplinary health promotion initiatives.

In order to achieve these aims the following objectives have been set.

To inspect all food premises, as per the recommended frequencies based on risk assessment, assess food-handling practices, identify hazards and take appropriate action to remedy problems identified.
To inspect or implement an alternative enforcement strategy for all food standards premises, as per recommended frequencies based on risk assessment, to ensure that legal requirements are met in relation to the quality, composition, labeling and advertising of food.
To carry out a proactive and reactive food sampling programme for microbiological and chemical examination.
To undertake health promotion/education activities.

The food service undertake the following activities:

Inspections of food premises for food hygiene and food standards to ensure legal compliance
The uplifting on a monthly basis of chemical and bacteriological samples of food and drink to monitor quality, safety, composition.
Investigation of complaints relating to food stuff and food premises
Investigating food poisoning cases
Respond to food alerts
Provide advice on food safety matters to businesses and consumers
Work in partnership with other agencies
Approve certain manufacturing premises eg meat products, dairy products, fish products

Click here to view the Council's Food Service Plan 2008/2009

Click here to view the Council's Enforcement Policy

Click here to view the Council's Complaints Procedure

FSA Audit

During December 2007 the food service was subject to a focused audit of Coldstores by the Food Standards Agency.

Click here to view the FSA Coldstore Audit findings

Click here to view the Council's Action Plan

Food Related Links

Food Standards Agency – www.food.gov.uk
Safe Food – www.safefoodonline.com
Eat Well – www.eatwell.gov.uk
Eat Safe - www.eatsafe.gov.uk
Salt – www.salt.gov.uk
DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – www.dardni.gov.uk
DEFRA Department for Environment, food and rural affairs – www.defra.gov.uk
Health Promotion Agency – www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk
Foodlink – www.foodlink.org.uk

Inspections of Premises

Any business, which produce, prepare, handle or store food can expect to be inspected by an Environmental Health Officer to ensure that the food is safe to eat and that the description of the food does not mislead the consumer.

Inspections are carried out under Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of food stuff.

Who will inspect my premises?

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from this department will inspect your premises on a routine basis. They will check for food hygiene matters and food standards matters eg composition (what is actually in the food) and labelling.

When will my business be inspected?

Inspectors will visit on a routine basis but may also visit as a result of a complaint, food alert or food poisoning. The frequency of inspections will depend on the potential risk posed by the type of premises and its previous record. Some premises may be inspected every six months others may be inspected less frequently.

EHO’s have the legal right to enter and inspect food premises at any reasonable time. They do not need to make an appointment and will usually arrive without notice. It is an offence to obstruct EHO’s.

What will the inspectors do on their visit?

The inspectors will look at how you operate your business to identify potential hazards, and to make sure that your business is following the law.

You can expect the inspectors to:

Show you identification when they arrive
Be polite throughout the visit
Give you feedback on an inspection eg tell you about any hazards which they have identified, and advise you about how they can be avoidedDistinguish between
what you need to do it to comply with the law and what is simply good practice
Give the reasons in writing of any action which needs to be taken
Advise you of the specific law they believe you may be breaking
Give you a reasonable amount of time to make changes except where there is an immediate risk to public health.

What powers do inspectors have?

EHO’s have powers to:

Take samples and photographs, and inspect records. You must not obstruct inspectors.
Write to you informally asking you to put right any problems they find.
Serve you with an improvement notice where breaches of the law are identified which must be put right they may.
Detain or seize food.
If there is an imminent health risk to consumers, inspectors can serve an emergency prohibition notice, which forbids the use of premises or equipment. The Court must confirm such a notice.
In serious cases to recommend a prosecution. If the prosecution is successful, the Court may prohibit you from using processes, premises or equipment. You could also be banned from managing a food business. It can also result in fines or imprisonment.

Food Premises Registration

Under Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Article 6 (2) all businesses, which offer food for sale, are required to register with this department.

How Do I Register?

A registration form must be completed and returned to this department. Click here to download Food Business Registration Form. The registration form provides information like:

Who is the manager of the business.
Where the Head Office is located.
What type of food activity the premises are involved in

It does not cost any money to register, and the Council cannot refuse to register you.

Approved Premises

The Council is required to inspect and approve any premises defined as products of animal origin such as meat, dairy, egg or fish product plants under Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.
Food premises approved under these regulations must meet additional requirements above the general requirements for food premises as they usually involve more high-risk operations.

Eat Safe Award

The main aim of this scheme is to provide an incentive to caterers to strive for food hygiene and food safety management standards beyond those required by law. It will also help consumers make informed choices about where to eat out by providing a recognisable 'sign' of excellence in standards of food hygiene.

Environmental Health Departments (EHD) administers the Eat Safe award in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Eligible establishments are assessed for the award as part of scheduled food hygiene inspections carried out by EHD. Local authorities handle the issuing and control of the Eat Safe award certificates.

The following premises in Ballymoney Borough Council area have received this award:

La Patisserie, Ballymoney
Supervalu, Ballymoney

For further information access the website below

www.eatsafe.gov.uk