Dungannon and South Tyrone

The Council's current Food Service Plan (2006/07) was generally in accordance with the requirements of the Service Planning Guidance in the Framework Agreement. The plan did not however include a clear statement of the Council's approach to identification of any variation
from the Service Plan and areas for improvement.

The Council had reviewed the authorisation of its officers, engaged in Food Law Enforcement, to ensure that they were appropriately authorised to exercise the powers within the Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and the Official Feed and Food Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, which provide for enforcement of the new Community Regulations relating to Food Hygiene and Official Controls. Officers had been authorised correctly in accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice (Northern Ireland).

The Council had revised its documented procedures relating to Formal Food Law Enforcement activities to reflect the requirements of the new Hygiene Regulations; however, procedures were not in place to cover the full range of enforcement activities.

The Council had developed and implemented a procedure for the approval of premises that require approval under Community Regulation (EC) 853/2004 and had approved the standalone coldstores in its area in accordance with the requirements of the Community Regulations and
the Food Law Code of Practice (Northern Ireland), and associated Practice Guidance.

File records maintained by the Council in respect of standalone coldstores were detailed in nature and contained all of the information recommended in the Food Law Practice Guidance (Northern Ireland).

A reality check conducted at a standalone coldstore in the Council's area indicated that the decision to approve that premises was correct and the responsible officer had a sound understanding of the Food Business Operator's food safety systems.