News and Features
Safer food, better business ?
The mass of legal regulations applying to the food industry can seem an insurmountable hurdle for new food businesses and those thinking of starting a food business. The Food Standards Agency gives valuable advice on the different Acts applying to the food industry, but even with their Government funding and scores of experts (they are an independent Government department) they have had to withdraw their Food Law Guide while they catch up with all the recent changes in the law! What hope then for laymen? We spoke to two organisations whose role is to help small food business owners through the maze of legislation.
Trading Standards
Somerset County Council’s Trading Standards Service appreciates how difficult it is, particularly for small businesses, to find out about the legal requirements they have to meet relating to consumer protection law. Businesses can find out the general requirements from their webpages (see the link at the end of the feature) or the business centre on the Ask Cedric website. For a more personal approach, Lynda King, Lead Officer Retail, says “There is a Somerset Trading Standards dedicated Business Helpline, 01823 357261, where free advice can be obtained on all trading standards matters. Last year we dealt with over 2000 requests for advice from Somerset businesses on issues such as advertisements, safety of consumer products, food labelling and quantity control systems. Mention Trading Standards and most people think of a Weights and Measures Inspector checking the measure of whisky in a pub or petrol from the garage, but they do much more than that. They deal with a huge range of subject matters from livestock movements to food labelling. Their aim is to ensure that businesses within Somerset comply with their legal obligation, therefore promoting a safe, fair and competitive trading environment for consumers and businesses alike. Work carried out by Retail and Manufacturing team officers includes the inspection of food factories, public houses, supermarkets, butchers and bakers to ensure the food on sale meets legal labelling and compositional requirements. For example, did you know that a “prawn and mayonnaise sandwich” should have the percentage of prawns and mayonnaise in the sandwich indicated on the labelling? Officers also act on warnings from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to ensure unsafe food is taken off sale and conduct sampling projects. Recent projects undertaken include testing for the level of salt in school meals and the amount of fats in ‘healthy option’ meals. The Animal Health team have a “policing” role within livestock farming. AH officers inspect all the county’s livestock markets, many farms and animal feed mills and the vehicles used to transport livestock to ensure animals are healthy and injury free. Likewise, inspection and movement licences are issued to ensure only animals of the correct age enter the food chain. Recent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth, Bluetongue and, in the past BSE, have emphasised the important role that Animal Health Officers play in protecting both the food and agricultural industries and the public. Somerset Trading Standards hold interactive business seminars to help groups of local businesses become more aware of trading laws. During the past couple of years they have run seminars covering consumer credit, weights and measures, food labelling and quantity requirements, open to delegates from businesses across the County. Given sufficient interest and support Trading Standards can provide free training on any aspect of the consumer protection or fair trading legislation. Contact the Business Helpline for further information.”
Food Hygiene Training South West
Food hygiene legislation is central to food law, and food hygiene training is a key part of this. In short, food handlers must receive appropriate supervision, and be instructed and/or trained in food hygiene, to enable them to handle food safely. Those responsible for developing and maintaining the business's food safety procedures, based on HACCP principles, must have received adequate training. Food Safety has taken on an even greater importance over recent years with the increase of (or public awareness of) major food poisoning outbreaks and the litigation culture. Most people can recall well-publicised cases resulting in many people being very ill. Sadly some deaths have occurred in the more extreme cases. Food safety courses enable employers and employees to understand the causes and measures required to reduce the risks. The majority of Food Safety training is common sense, but there are a large number of issues that may not necessarily be that well known. Food Hygiene Training South West trains staff in correct food handling and storage procedures with industry recognised qualifications from the Royal Institute of Public Health. The company was recently set up by Derek Robinson, who has over 35 years experience in the food industry. “Being a local company I am able to offer tailored courses to meet the needs and time constraints of individuals and businesses throughout Somerset” he says, “courses can be held ‘in-house’ at client’s premises or off-site. Clients will receive a recognised qualification,(providing they pass the exam!)” Derek can also offer advice on the Food Standards Agency "Safer Food - Better Business" scheme and the "Scores on the Doors" system operated by a number of local councils in Somerset where they award a star rating on establishments selling and retailing food.
Links & contacts Trading standards business helpline 01823 357261, email tsdutyofficer@somerset.gov.uk Food Hygiene Training South West 01823 254249, email info@foodhygienetraining-southwest.co.uk
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