Duties of an authorised officer
You cannot refuse entry to an inspector. It is a criminal offence to obstruct an authorised officer in the course of their duty.
The officer(s) will:
- talk to staff about your quality control systems and practices (where these exist)
- inspect all parts of your premises and equipment
- talk to you about staff training, controlling hazards and temperature control
- examine relevant documentation including:
- recipes
- maintenance
- temperature
- food safety management systems
- staff sickness records
- take samples and swabs as part of a routine inspection
Powers of an inspector
Inspectors have the power to:
- take samples, photographs and inspect records
- where breaches of the law are identified, write informally asking the owner to put right any problems they find
- serve improvement notices
- detain or seize food
- recommend prosecution for serious offences
If we prosecute a food business and are successful, the court may:
- impose prohibitions on processes and the use of premises and equipment
- impose fines
- prohibit someone from running a food business
- give a prison sentence for serious offences
If there is an imminent health risk to consumers, inspectors can serve an Emergency Prohibition Notice that prevents the use of the premises or equipment. The court must confirm such a notice.
Inspectors can also formally exclude someone from working in a food business if they are found to be suffering with a food-borne illness or infectious disease.
Standards you can expect
You can expect our inspectors to:
- have a courteous manner
- show identification
- give feedback from any inspection, such as information about hazards which have been identified, and guidance on how they should be avoided
- clearly distinguish between what you must do to comply with the law, and what is recommended good practice
- give you the reasons, in writing, for any action you are asked to take
- show where there is an apparent breach of law, and a statement of what that law is
- give you reasonable time to meet statutory health requirements (except where there is an immediate risk to public health)
- outline procedures for appealing against local authority action