Food standards

Food safety and quality is one of our priorities and we work alongside our Environmental Health colleagues to help ensure food business operators in the area are legally compliant in relation to food standards legislation.

Foods offered for sale to consumers and businesses are required to be of a safe and of satisfactory quality. They also need to be correctly labelled or described and in some cases meet a specific compositional requirement.

This includes whether they are sold pre-packaged where in most instances full food labelling is required. Or sold loose at places where less information is usually required:

• markets
• shows
• events
• small shops
• bars, cafes and restaurants

Inspections

Our authorised officers will conduct visits across the area throughout the year to carry out food inspections, take samples, investigate alleged complaints and to provide business advice services.

Areas that are commonly checked by our inspectors may include:

• labelling
• composition
• menu descriptions
• health and nutrition claims
• allergen management
• food hygiene ratings
• origin and traceability
• animal bi-products
• additives and improvement agents
• food hazards
• weights and measures