Food Safety Policy

Enforcement of food safety within its area is required of each Scottish Council under the terms of the Food Safety Act 1990. This Act enables Ministers to make Regulations and Codes of Practice. There are general and product specific regulations and numerous Codes of Practice and guidelines.

It is the policy of Scottish Borders Council Technical Services Department to conduct food safety enforcement in accordance with the requirements of the Food Safety Act, various food Regulations, Codes of Practice and appropriate guidelines. This is done in a professional, proportional and consistent manner to ensure that food and drink intended for sale for human consumption produced, stored, distributed, handled or consumed in the Scottish Borders, is hygienic and compliant with appropriate food standard and labelling Regulations.

Supplemental to the Department's primary aim of protecting public health is the provision of advice, guidance and information designed to increase the awareness of both businesses and the public regarding food safety matters.

In addition to the Government Codes of Practice, the Department's food safety procedures shall be followed and monitored for quality and consistency of enforcement. The food safety procedures cover:-

Food hygiene and food hazard assessment enforcement
Sampling
Food complaints
Complaints about food premises and practices
Food premises registration
Food poisoning investigation
Voluntary surrender of food
Food standards inspections
Food hygiene and HACCP training
Quality and consistency monitoring
Food Hazard Warnings
Out of Hours Stand-by
Butchers Licensing
Document Control & Data Protection
Food Safety Enforcement Officers - Authorisation & Training
Enforcement Policy
Lone Working

Some of the Procedures refer to detailed protocols for specific tasks i.e. correct use of thermometers. These protocols are an essential element of this Policy. The food safety procedures and protocols will be reviewed or added to as legislative and organisational and administrative changes occur.

The food safety procedures contain a number of Performance Indicators in accordance with the best value regime and the requirements of the Accounts Commission. These will be used for monitoring and directing enforcement activity.

Scottish Borders Council endorses the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) guidance, and in particular the Home Authority Principle.

Scottish Borders Council will ensure that at all times there are sufficient officers available with the appropriate degree of experience and training, who are suitably authorised to carry out the food safety enforcement policy. Programmed inspections of food premises and the investigation of food complaints will only be carried out by suitably qualified officers duly authorised in terms of the Food Safety Act 1990. Scottish Borders Council recognises that continuing professional development (CPD) is important to ensure that officers are up to date and well informed to ensure a high quality of food safety enforcement. CPD will be monitored by the Senior Environment Health Officer (Food) under the Performance and Personal Development Planning Process (PPDPP) to ensure all professional officers are given the opportunity to update and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for food safety enforcement.

In accordance with the Food Safety Agency Framework agreement with local authorities, this policy, the food sampling policy, food safety enforcement policy and the annual food service plan are published on this web site. This is referred to in letters sent out by the food team.

Food safety enforcement and food poisoning investigations will be the responsibility of the Food Team. The Senior Environmental Health Officer (Food) will manage the food safety enforcement activities of the team and report to the Head of Environmental Health Services. The Head of Service will liase with the Director of Technical Services on all matters relating to Food Safety. The Food Team will meet regularly to address changes and progress with all aspects of Food Safety administration. The meetings will be minuted.

News Events Council Life in the Borders Out and About

Accessibility a A A Access Keys Skip to main content Text-Only Default Appearance A-Z Directory Contact Us Have Your Say FAQ
Home Page
	Food Safety Policy Enforcement of food safety within its area is required of each Scottish Council under the terms of the Food Safety Act 1990. This Act enables Ministers to make Regulations and Codes of Practice. There are general and product specific regulations and numerous Codes of Practice and guidelines. It is the policy of Scottish Borders Council Technical Services Department to conduct food safety enforcement in accordance with the requirements of the Food Safety Act, various food Regulations, Codes of Practice and appropriate guidelines. This is done in a professional, proportional and consistent manner to ensure that food and drink intended for sale for human consumption produced, stored, distributed, handled or consumed in the Scottish Borders, is hygienic and compliant with appropriate food standard and labelling Regulations. Supplemental to the Department's primary aim of protecting public health is the provision of advice, guidance and information designed to increase the awareness of both businesses and the public regarding food safety matters. In addition to the Government Codes of Practice, the Department's food safety procedures shall be followed and monitored for quality and consistency of enforcement. The food safety procedures cover:- Food hygiene and food hazard assessment enforcement Sampling Food complaints Complaints about food premises and practices Food premises registration Food poisoning investigation Voluntary surrender of food Food standards inspections Food hygiene and HACCP training Quality and consistency monitoring Food Hazard Warnings Out of Hours Stand-by Butchers Licensing Document Control & Data Protection Food Safety Enforcement Officers - Authorisation & Training Enforcement Policy Lone Working Some of the Procedures refer to detailed protocols for specific tasks i.e. correct use of thermometers. These protocols are an essential element of this Policy. The food safety procedures and protocols will be reviewed or added to as legislative and organisational and administrative changes occur. The food safety procedures contain a number of Performance Indicators in accordance with the best value regime and the requirements of the Accounts Commission. These will be used for monitoring and directing enforcement activity. Scottish Borders Council endorses the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) guidance, and in particular the Home Authority Principle. Scottish Borders Council will ensure that at all times there are sufficient officers available with the appropriate degree of experience and training, who are suitably authorised to carry out the food safety enforcement policy. Programmed inspections of food premises and the investigation of food complaints will only be carried out by suitably qualified officers duly authorised in terms of the Food Safety Act 1990. Scottish Borders Council recognises that continuing professional development (CPD) is important to ensure that officers are up to date and well informed to ensure a high quality of food safety enforcement. CPD will be monitored by the Senior Environment Health Officer (Food) under the Performance and Personal Development Planning Process (PPDPP) to ensure all professional officers are given the opportunity to update and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for food safety enforcement. In accordance with the Food Safety Agency Framework agreement with local authorities, this policy, the food sampling policy, food safety enforcement policy and the annual food service plan are published on this web site. This is referred to in letters sent out by the food team. Food safety enforcement and food poisoning investigations will be the responsibility of the Food Team. The Senior Environmental Health Officer (Food) will manage the food safety enforcement activities of the team and report to the Head of Environmental Health Services. The Head of Service will liase with the Director of Technical Services on all matters relating to Food Safety. The Food Team will meet regularly to address changes and progress with all aspects of Food Safety administration. The meetings will be minuted.
© The Scottish Borders. Designed by Unified Solutions. Home Accessibility a A A Access Keys Contact Us Legal Notices Site Map