What we do
The food team carries out food hygiene inspections of food businesses in the district including small retail outlets, caterers, butchers, sandwich bars, dairies, and large manufacturing premises. The team follows government codes of practice for our inspection service and issuing of food hygiene ratings.
Officers have the right to enter and inspect premises at all reasonable hours, except domestic premises where notice will be given. How often routine inspections happen depends on the potential risk posed by the type of business and its previous record. Sometimes inspections are carried out following the receipt of consumer and hygiene complaints. Revisits may be necessary to check the completion of works and give advice.
We check businesses are meeting their legal requirements. We will take action where businesses fail to comply with legislation in accordance with our enforcement policy. The action we take will be a graduated approach and will be proportionate, targeted, consistent and transparent.