Strabane
Thursday 1 May 2003
29 April - 1 May 2003
Overall the audit revealed a good level of conformance with the standard particularly in relation to investigative work. The Council maintained strong liaison with other councils and appropriate bodies through the Group system. The shortfall in the inspection programme requires addressing to enable conformance 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.
Liaison - The Council benefits from strong links with the Western Group Environmental Health Service and its other constituent councils in terms of dissemination of current advice and guidance and ensuring uniformity of enforcement.
Third Party/Peer Review - As a result of the role of the Group Environmental Health Committees in Northern Ireland, the Council had been subject to audit by the Western Group Environmental Service in 1998/1999, 2000 and most recently in 2002 against 8 elements of the Standard. A subsequent action plan was agreed and fully implemented.
Key Area for Improvement
Inspection Frequencies - The Council was not carrying out its programme of food hygiene inspections and food standards inspections in accordance with Food Safety Order Code of Practice No 8: Food Hygiene Inspections and Food Safety Order Code of Practice No 7: Food Standards Inspections. Inspections carried out at the minimum frequencies detailed in the Food Safety Order Codes of Practice ensure that risks associated with the operation of a food business are identified in a timely manner.
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