Lisburn

Thursday 5 September 2002

8 - 10 January 2002

The audit revealed a good level of compliance with the standard particularly in relation to investigative work, prosecutions and formal cautions.

The Council also maintained strong liaison with other councils and appropriate bodies through the Group system.

The Council had already identified issues relating to an incomplete set of documented procedures prior to the audit.

The shortfall in the inspection programme and lack of information held in relation to the food standards inspections undertaken by the Council, require addressing to enable compliance with the Standard.

The Council’s Strengths:

Investigative Work - The Council was carrying out thorough and competent investigations of food complaints, unsatisfactory food sample results, food hazard warnings and food related infectious diseases.

Enforcement – There was evidence of thorough and appropriate enforcement action in relation to prosecutions and formal cautions, all of which followed centrally issued guidance.

Advice to Businesses - The Council was active in offering advice to business in the distribution of information and the provision of courses but most notably with its programme of assisting businesses with the implementation of hazard analysis using a centrally developed training pack.

Liaison – The Council benefits from strong links with the Eastern Group Environmental Health Committee and it’s other constituent Councils, in terms of dissemination of current advice and guidance and ensuring uniformity of enforcement.

Key Areas for Improvement

Inspection Frequencies – The Council was not carrying out its food hygiene inspections at a frequency in accordance with Food Safety Order Code of Practice No. 8: Food Hygiene Inspections. Inspections carried out at the minimum frequency detailed in the Food Safety Order Code of Practice, ensure that risks associated with the operation of a food business are identified in a timely manner.

Food Standards Inspection Records – File records were insufficient to make an assessment of the inspection activity undertaken and to determine that appropriate action had been taken in respect of any non-compliance found.

Documented Policies and Procedures – The Council did not have all the appropriate procedures required by the standard. In addition it did not have a procedure for ensuring that those documented policies and procedures it had in place were reviewed. Comprehensive and up to date documented policies and procedures will allow the Council to monitor enforcement activities to defined standards and help ensure appropriate consistent and effective enforcement.

Improvement Notices – There were significant deficiencies in the Council’s drafting and processing of improvement notices, highlighting a need for additional staff training in this area and an increased level of internal monitoring. In order to be effective, the Council should ensure that improvement notices as an important enforcement tool, are used in accordance with relevant legislation and Food Safety Order Codes of Practice