03 September 2010Diners and shoppers can have confidence in their food after an important food hygiene inspection target was exceeded.
Sevenoaks District Council's Environmental Health Team has a duty to inspect businesses that sell food and has an annual target to complete 98% of its scheduled inspections.
From 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009, the Council exceeded its target by inspecting 456 or 99% of food businesses to ensure they operate within the law. All high and medium risk premises were visited.
Cllr Elaine Bracken, the Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for Environmental Health, says: "It is important that we help ensure the District's food outlets adhere to food hygiene regulations and by exceeding the inspection target, we have demonstrated that we take this issue seriously."
The number of routine food inspections carried out is determined by the level of risk associated with the type of premises and the past history.
High risk premises, such as residential homes, nurseries, hospitals or those businesses with a poor hygiene record, may be visited every six or 12 months. Other businesses that are considered lower risk, off licences, garages, small grocery stores and newsagents, are inspected less frequently.
The latest food hygiene inspection figures were reported to Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet at its meeting last Thursday (11 June 2009).
Sevenoaks District Council has the equivalent of six full time members of staff to deal with food related issues including food inspections, dealing with food complaints and educational work. They also deal with health and safety at work, certain public health matters and smokefree legislation.
