Visits to premises are carried out, as far as possible, without prior notification and are priority programmed according to the degree of potential risk. 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 potential food safety risks have been identified by the business, and that there are adequate controls in place to prevent any problems.
- They will also look at 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.
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.
Unannounced inspections are routinely carried out by Environmental Health Inspectors as part of an annual risk based inspection programme. All inspections are carried out in accordance with The Food Standards Agency Code of Practice.
Inspection frequency is determined in accordance with the national risk rating scheme defined in the code of practice. This establishes the risk by reference to the potential hazard, compliance and confidence in the management controls.
Minimum frequencies are detailed as follows:
A - 6 months
B - 12 months
C - 18 months
D - 2 years or alternative enforcement strategy
E - Alternative enforcement strategies
All authorities aim to carry out 100% of inspections within their work programmes.
Food Safety Enforcement
View the Food Safety Enforcement and Prosecution Policy for Wyre Forest
District Council (229K)
View the Environmental Health Enforcement Policy for Bromsgrove District Council
View the Environmental Health Enforcement Policy for Malvern Hills District CouncilView the Environmental Health Enforcement Policy for Redditch Borough Council
View the Food Safety Enforcement and Prosecution Policy for Worcester City CouncilView the Environmental Services Enforcement Policy for Wychavon District Council
