London Borough of Tower Hamlets

It was clear that the Authority supported the Home Authority Principle (HAP) and had informal agreements with 5 local food businesses. File checks indicated that the Authority was considering the HAP when carrying out food safety and food standards enforcement and referrals in respect of unsatisfactory food samples and complaints, had been made to other local authorities that acted as home or originating authorities.

File checks also indicated that, where referrals have been received from other local authorities, in general, these were properly followed up and investigated. However, the records maintained in relation to food premises inspections and visits were not always sufficiently detailed.

The Authority�s Service Plan and its documented policies and procedures on sampling and complaints made reference to HAP work where appropriate and a specific procedure on Home Authority complaints had been produced.

The Authority was working with food businesses to help them comply with relevant food legislation and was actively promoting food safety and standards. Current central government initiatives in relation to food safety and standards were being taken up and actively supported by the Authority.

The advisory and promotional work was comprehensively included in the service planning process and was delivered in a well managed programme, subject to available resources.