Food Safety and Food Standards

We offer advice on a whole host of food safety and food standards matters ranging from 'Foreign bodies' to 'GM' foods (Food Issues). The Service has also worked closely with the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust on promoting healthy lifestyles issues, accident prevention etc., and is developing policies, which impact on social, economic and environmental issues to improve health.

Information may also be obtained via the links below.

For any other food issues contact:

Environmental Health and Trading Standards
PO Box 233
Hereford
HR1 2ZF

Tel: 01432 261761
Fax: 01432 261982
Email: info@herefordshire.gov.uk

Food Premises Inspection

All food premises are inspected to make sure that the premises and the activities occurring within them, comply with food safety legislation. The frequency of inspection is determined by an assessment of risk carried out by the inspecting Officer.

Inspections may be related to food hygiene and/or food standards. Officers of Environmental Health Commercial (EHC) carry out food hygiene inspections and Officers of the Trading Standards Section (TS) carry out food standards inspections.

Food hygiene inspections are carried out 6 monthly, annually, every 18 months, every 2 years, or every 3 years depending upon the risk assessment.

Food standards inspections are carried out annually, every 2 years or every 5 years depending upon the risk assessment.

There are approximately 2100 premises that require inspection in Herefordshire. Each year, an inspection programme is drawn up. The inspection programme along with details of the actual number of inspections undertaken, are sent to the Food Standards Agency who publish the figures annually. In 2006/07, for example, EHC will need to carry out over 1000 food hygiene inspections.

Food hygiene and food standards inspections are carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice by suitably qualified and experienced officers.

For further regarding food hygiene inspections, please telephone
01432 261761 or email us at info@herefordshire.gov.uk

For further information on food standards inspections, please telephone
01432 261678 or email us at info@herefordshire.gov.uk