Food safety regulations
Food safety legislation places an obligation on food business
operators to ensure that all their activities are carried out in a
hygienic way. It makes it an offence to supply food which is unsafe
or harmful to human health.
The food safety team is responsible for ensuring that businesses
comply with these requirements under legislation such as the Food
Safety Act 1990 and the Food Safety and Hygiene (England)
Regulations 2013. They deal with hygiene except at primary
production (farms), where Trading Standards and other bodies have
Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2013-14 (PDF, 441kb).
More in depth information and guidance regarding food law can be
found on the FSA website.
The council sets the following standards for food.
We aim to ensure that:
- food businesses are registered
- food is correctly labelled and described and meets quality
- manufacturers and retailers of food are regularly
- restaurants and other food premises meet strict hygiene
- food is safe to eat.
The food safety team is responsible for the inspection of food
retailers and providers in the borough. They ensure that the food
hygiene and quality being made available in premises meets legal
requirements. It is also responsible for ensuring food is correctly
labelled and compositional standards are met.
All premises registered with the council are inspected on a
priority basis according to risk. New premises should register with
the council so that an initial visit can be carried out and advice
given. They also deal with any health and safety issues in food
If you are a retailer seeking advice about how to handle food or
you have a food safety issue, please contact us.
Copies of the Food Safety Act 1990 and Food Safety and
Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 can be obtained from
Office of Public Sector
Information (opens in new window), or a copy can be
inspected at the council offices where you may also obtain further
help or advice.