St Albans City and District Council

It was clear that the Authority supported the Home Authority Principle (HAP) and had informal agreements with two food businesses. File checks indicated that the Authority was considering the HAP when carrying out food safety enforcement and referrals had been made to other local authorities who acted as home or originating authorities in respect of unsatisfactory food samples and complaints.

File checks confirmed that there were a very limited number of referrals to St Albans from other enforcing authorities. However from the limited information available, it was clear that appropriate action had been taken.

The Authority�s Service Plan and its documented policies and procedures on inspections, sampling and complaints made reference to HAP work where appropriate.

The Authority was clearly working with food businesses to help them comply with food safety legislation and was actively promoting food safety. An impressive range and diversity of appropriate food initiatives was being undertaken and comprehensive records of this work were being maintained.

It was considered that the advisory and promotional work was comprehensively included in the service planning process and that it had been successfully integrated into the day to day work carried out by the Service.