East Ayrshire

The authority had developed and implemented a detailed food safety service plan for 2010/11, which satisfies the service planning guidance in the Framework Agreement. The service plan was approved by cabinet on 20 October 2010 and a review is currently underway for the 2011/12 service plan.

The authority had developed documented policies and procedures relating to their food law enforcement responsibilities. These documents were available to all officers in electronic format on a central computer-based directory.

Appropriate authorisation was provided across the food service, with officers being subject to regular reviews of performance.

Individual officer training needs were identified as part of their annual performance review. Training records contained evidence that officers had completed a minimum 10 hours relevant training in the last year and that officers conducting inspections had received training in HACCP principles and methods for effectively auditing HACCP-based food safety management systems.

File checks of six general food hygiene premises confirmed that the authority was completing detailed inspections which included the assessment and recording of HACCP-based food safety management systems by recording that the appropriate element of Article 5 (hazard analysis and critical control points) had been assessed. Food business operators were provided with reports left at the time of inspection covering the main elements discussed at the inspection. If appropriate, clearly worded letters confirming the main findings from inspections were sent later in accordance with the intervention procedures.

It was evident from audit checks that officers were taking a graduated approach to enforcement and actively worked with businesses to achieve compliance. The information reviewed relating to Hygiene Improvement Notices identified that the enforcement decisions reached were appropriate to the contraventions identified.

Discussion and review of internal monitoring procedures and practices indicated that the authority was monitoring many aspects of food law enforcement work, including accompanied inspections. Records of internal monitoring activities were retained on file.

From the files checked, it was evident that officers were clear on the authority’s procedure for conducting inspections and adhered to the authority’s enforcement policy.