Role of enforcement officers

• They provide advice and assistance to food businesses to ensure they understand how to produce safe food and comply with the law.
• They inspect food premises (either routinely or due to a complaint), if needed they implement any necessary action.
• They investigate complaints about food or food premises made by consumers.
• They enforce legislation that relates to the food.
• They can enter and inspect food premises at any time, without the business knowing that they are coming. #
• they inspect food delivery vehicles
• They interview and question random employees
• they observe workplace activities
• they take photos and sample food
• they also look at documentation and records, including computer records
• they ask for assistance from any employee to support an inspection/ investigation.
• They can seize or detain food that is deemed unfit for human consumption.
• they serve legal notices
• they can recommend that the food business operator to be prosecuted
• inspections ensure that the food business operator is complying with the food safety legislation
• they specifically check: how hygienically the food is handled - how it is prepared, cooked, reheated, cooled and stored.
• they specifically check: the conditions of the building. the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities.
• they specifically check: how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe
• Food hygiene rating scheme: FSA - food standards agency. (rating 0-5) - 5 being very good, 0 being urgent actions necessary.