Inspections are conducted in accordance with the Council's Food Service Plan.

The frequency of food safety inspections is risk based, and the action following an inspection will be in line with our enforcement policy.

Inspections can be conducted unannounced with routine evening inspections undertaken to ensure food-handling practices are observed. In addition to enforcement of legislation and the monitoring of legal compliance the officer will offer guidance on best practice and provide leaflets and other support materials to facilitate the production of safe food.

Environmental Health Officers and Technical Officers authorised by CDC have the right to enter and inspect food premises at all reasonable hours (24 hours notice must be given for domestic premises). The inspection will focus on the way you operate your business to identify and control food safety hazards and to make sure the premises comply with the law. The inspecting officer will discuss any problems with you and advise on possible solutions.

What should I expect from an Inspector?  Inspectors will:

1. Behave in a courteous manner
2. Show their authorisation
3. Discuss matters observed which need attention
4. Distinguish between recommendations and legal requirements
5. Inform you before he leaves the premises of any action which he intends to take
6. Provide you with a copy of his inspection form
7. Where appropriate, discuss relevant points with you, your manager and your employees
8. Confirm in writing (giving reasons) remedial actions which have been requested
9. Provide a statement of the relevant sections of law where there is an apparent breach
10. Advise on the appeals procedure available to you
11. Advise you of the procedure for making a complaint about the inspector.

Powers of Inspectors

1. Inspectors can take samples and photographs, and inspect records  
2. They may write to you informally asking you to put right any problems they find 
3. An improvement notice may be served where serious breaches of the law are identified.
4. If there is an imminent risk to health, inspectors can serve an emergency prohibition notice, which prohibits the use of the premises or equipment immediately.  The notice must be confirmed by order of the magistrates' court 
5. Suspect/unfit food can be detained or seized 
6. In serious cases, they may decide to recommend a prosecution:  if the prosecution is successful the court may impose prohibitions on processes and the use of premises or equipment, fines and possibly imprisonment. 
7. The notices or recommendations for prosecution will follow the procedures laid down in the 'Enforcement Policy'.

Appealing

1. If you don't agree with the action taken by the Inspector, you should first contact Ken Robinson, Team Leader,  or Lindsey Quinn Head of Environmental Health to see if the problem can be resolved informally. If the problem cannot be resolved you can approach your local Councillor. 
2. If you think that Craven DC is applying the law in a different way from other authorities you can seek advice from the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Regulatory Service Standards (LACORS) either through your trade association or us.
3. You have a right of appeal to a magistrates' court against an improvement notice or a refusal by us to lift an emergency prohibition order made earlier by the Court. A magistrates' court must confirm the emergency closure of a business or the seizure of food. 
4. If magistrates decide premises have been shut without proper reason, or food has been wrongly seized or detained you have a right to compensation. (Unless the food is an illegally imported product of animal origin).

We want to help you to run your food business safely and in accordance with current legislation. If you need any advice on food safety, trade associations and independent consultancy services can also help. We are committed to creating a partnership between food businesses and ourselves in order to enhance public safety.