Food safety - your responsibilities
Food inspections
You can be inspected by your local council at any point in the food production and distribution process. All inspectors must follow the . Usually, you will not be told an inspection is going to happen.
How often you鈥檙e inspected depends on the risk your business poses to public health. You might not be inspected as often if you鈥檙e a member of a recognised assurance scheme. You can search for a registered assurance scheme online.
If you鈥檙e a food retailer or caterer you鈥檒l be inspected regularly to make sure you comply with food safety laws. Check the and .
Your premises, food, records and procedures can be inspected. Food samples can be taken as well as photographed.
Find your .
After the inspection
You鈥檒l be sent a letter confirming any improvements you need to make and by when. Usually, you鈥檙e responsible for confirming these improvements have been made.
For serious food safety problems you may be sent a 鈥榥otice鈥�. The notice can include banning you from using certain equipment or processes until improvements have been made. Your business will be revisited to make sure you have followed the improvements in the notice. Example notices include a:
- Hygiene Improvement Notice
- Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices - banning you from using certain equipment or following certain processes
Appeals
Your letter or notice should tell you how you can appeal a decision by an inspector.