Food inspectors to target ‘higher risk’ businesses

INSPECTIONS of ‘higher risk’ food businesses in Rossendale will be a priority over the next 12 months following two years of restricted work in the pandemic, councillors are being told.

Food safety and environmental health officers look set to focus on 95 firms which Rossendale council says need inspections most regularly - with visits at least every six, 12 or 18 months.

Overall, the borough has 700 food businesses but the vast majority are small businesses with five staff or less.

Examples of firms which can be visited include takeaways, convenience shops, supermarkets, bakers, butchers, cafes, pubs, restaurants, mobile caterers, nurseries, childminders, schools, care firms, food manufacturers and distributors.

Inspections are done by council officers without advance notice, so they can see food hygiene arrangements in typical circumstances.

Officers check that food is safe to eat, handled and stored properly, allergy risks are addressed, premises are clean and free from mice, rats, flies, waste contamination or leaking sewerage, and that staff understand their responsibilities.

During the pandemic lockdowns, food business inspections were restricted to new and lower-risk firms.

Now, the council wants to complete any remaining inspections that are outstanding from 2020 and 2021 and then press-on with other visits scheduled for the next 12 months.

A report to this week’s full council meeting states a total of 354 outstanding premises inspections remain from the past two years for all types of food businesses, higher and lower risk.

Of those, 64 are food businesses which require more-frequent inspections at least every six, 12 or 18 months. A further 173 premises will need inspections over the next 12 months. Of those, 22 are in the categories for more-frequent visits.

Valley councillors are being asked to approve the inspections work as part of the borough’s Food Service Plan, which is designed to comply with the expectations of the national Food Standards Agency.

A report due to go before Wednesday evening’s full council meeting stated: “Food safety and ensuring the public are protected remains a priority for the authority. Covid 19 has had a major impact on all areas of business. The food and leisure industry has been affected more than most. Business recovery and compliance during 2022-23 will ensure food safety is maintained.

“The public protection service will undertake a programme of comprehensive and targeted interventions at food premises, to ensure compliance with legislation and the promotion of best practice.”

Factors impacting on food safety and public protection include the high number of fast-food outlets, the turnover of building occupancy and types of activities in buildings, increased business activity over seven days and also food crime issues, which cross local and regional boundaries, the report added.