Bradford Metropolitan District Council

The authority had developed a detailed service plan for food safety enforcement that was broadly in line with the service planning guidance in the Framework Agreement. The plan made some reference to the authority’s imported food responsibilities in relation to food hygiene matters but required expansion to include the control and liaison arrangements in place with West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) for all other areas of imported food legislation.

The service had also identified a failure to meet certain targets due to high demands placed upon the service. However, a comparison between the demands on the service and available resources had not been included within the food safety service plan and it was not clear as to how identified variances were to be addressed. There was evidence, however, that the service had adopted a risk-based approach to its hygiene intervention programme using the resources available.

The authority had developed and implemented a documented procedure for the authorisation of officers involved in food safety work, which detailed the method of determining authorisation in accordance with officer qualifications, experience and competency. Audit checks confirmed that officers were appropriately authorised, however authorisations required review to include all current relevant legislation.

Audit checks confirmed that officers had undertaken a minimum of 10 hours relevant training based upon the principles of continuing professional development in the past year, including some relevant training on imported food controls. Auditors discussed the benefit of officers completing refresher training to increase awareness of the latest official controls relating to high risk foods not of animal origin.

Although procedural guidance for officers made reference to imported food controls, a further review of procedures was required to confirm the extent of officer’s responsibilities with regard to imported food controls and to provide details of any relevant liaison arrangements in place with WYTSS.

Audit checks confirmed that detailed records relating to hygiene controls were being maintained by officers following food safety inspections at food importers. The inspection aide-memoire, however, required further review to remind officers of the need to consider imported food controls at appropriate establishments and to document any relevant issues that might need referring to WYTSS.

It was clear that the service was proactive in providing advice to all food businesses on imported food controls. This included periodic distribution of information leaflets to every registered food business within the district.

It was evident that there was liaison with WYTSS regarding imported food, referrals received by the authority were investigated and appropriate follow-up action had been undertaken.

The service maintained detailed food sampling procedures which provided officers with clear guidance for informal and official sampling activities. In conjunction with WYTSS, the authority had developed and participated in a recent sampling project involving a range of imported foods on sale in the district. It was clear from the records examined during the audit that in all cases appropriate action had been taken following the receipt of sampling results.

The authority had developed a detailed procedure for internal monitoring of officers’ work which included a method for comment and feedback on each assessment undertaken. There was evidence of qualitative monitoring through officer peer review and regular quantitative monitoring through monthly reporting of business performance indicators.