Contact: Andrew Smith Ext: 7826

1. Introduction

1.1 The recently established Food Standards Agency is Central Government's major initiative to improve consumer protection and confidence in relation to food. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is embarking on a national audit of arrangements in relation to food safety, hygiene, composition, labelling, feeding stuffs which are the responsibility of Local Authorities, and within the County Council, the principle function of Regulatory Services.

1.2 The Executive Summary from the first FSA audit of the County Council's arrangement is attached as Appendix I and assesses the arrangements we have in place for the inspection of food businesses and food stuffs, sampling and analysis, internal management, food safety promotion and education and related activities.

1.3 The main purpose of the audit is to maintain and improve consumer protection and confidence.

2. Executive Summary

2.1 The general conclusion from the FSA was that the County Council is providing a good balanced food standards enforcement service which is particularly strong on food sampling, advice to business and promotional activities. The County Council recognised last year that it was in some cases not meeting best practice in relation to the required inspection frequencies of some food premises. The recent restructuring of Regulatory Services has ensured that additional resources are now devoted to that activity.

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2.2 Food related activity is a major part of the Council's work. There are some 7,000 premises subject to food standards inspection with over 300 categorised as "high risk". In concluding its report, the Food Standards Agency identified the County Council as having particular strengths in its food sampling activity and its advice to Businesses. In relation to food promotion, the report also identified the strengths the Council has in its work with Schools which was well documented and demonstrated the promotion of both food standards and food safety to the wider community. The report also concluded that the existing policies and procedures were supported by a well managed and controlled quality management system.

2.3 There were basically two key areas identified for improvement. The first related to the inspection programme and a recommendation was made to reconfigure the programme of inspections which is outlined in Appendix II. The second related to the administration of part of the service. Given that this was the first such audit of the County Council's procedures, it is heartening to see the outcome. The service itself will be the subject of a Best Value review next year, and subject to the Cabinet agreeing to the action plan in Appendix II, this will be factored into that review.

Recommendations

That the Cabinet:

(a) Notes the positive outcome of the Food Standards Audit and the high regard which was paid to the strengths of the County Council procedures and;

(b) Endorses the action plan in Appendix II for submission to the Food Standards Agency by the 1 November 2001.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers:

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

File Location

None.

C010A

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APPENDIX 1

Extract from Draft Food Standards Agency Report relating to the

Audit of Hampshire County Council, 4-6 September 2001.

2. Executive Summary

2.1 The Authority was providing a good, balanced food standards enforcement service, which was particularly strong on food sampling, advice to business and promotional activities. The Food Service had already carried out an internal audit to ensure that all required procedures were in place and had amended many existing quality documents to comply fully with The Standard. The Authority had given priority to high risk premises inspections, virtually meeting the required annual inspection frequency in 2000/2001, but recognised that the required inspection frequencies for medium and low risk premises inspections were not being met. To address this the Food Service was restructuring at the time of the audit to set up a specialist food team with full responsibility for meeting inspection targets. The audit also found that more detailed record keeping was required in certain areas by the Food Service to more effectively inform enforcement work.

2.2 The Authority's Strengths:

Sampling - There was an extensive sampling programme which was aimed at Home Authority businesses. In addition, the Authority participated in national and regional sampling projects organised by their laboratory.

Advice to Business/Home Authority - Businesses were clearly given help to comply with legislation. Food manufacturers in Hampshire were given detailed advice on request and during inspections. This included proof reading of labels and advice on of new legislative developments. Statistically valid sampling was carried out at Home Authority premises to help them ensure that their products met compositional and labelling requirements.

Promotion - The sampling projects outlined above had attracted a significant amount of publicity on a range of food standards issues. The work with schools was well documented and demonstrated the promotion of both food standards and food safety.

Policies/Procedures - The existing quality system was well managed and had been amended to include all the documentation required by the Standard. The documentation was well controlled and subject to regular review.

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Extract from Draft Food Standards Agency Report relating to the

Audit of Hampshire County Council, 4-6 September 2001.

2.3 Key Areas for Improvement

Inspection Programme/Frequency of Inspection - Inspections were not being carried out at the minimum frequencies laid down in Food Safety Act Code of Practice No. 8: Food Standards Inspections. High risk premises were given priority, however the programme of inspections was based on an overall target figure for each risk type and was not based on due dates. This meant that there could be more than 12 months between high risk inspections.

Records - Except for Home Authority files which were generally detailed in nature, records relating to food business operations lacked information. Records relating to premises inspections need to provide a clear history of events to facilitate appropriate enforcement decisions and to provide the basis for effective internal monitoring.

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Action Plan for Hampshire County Council APPENDIX 2

Audit date: 4-6 September 2001