Are inconsistences in enforcement action affecting your food business?

Sometimes the location of your food business may determine whether or not you have a greater chance of getting prosecuted.

What does this mean?

As long as your food business is complying with relevant food safety legislation, and your practices are found good when your local Environmental Health Officer inspects you, there should be not concerns. It will not matter where you are located e.g. what borough as all enforcement officers enforce the law and as long as you are compliant, what borough you trade in will not matter.

The problem only arises, when you are not complying with relevant food safety legislation. 

Not all environmental health departments have equal staffing and budget allowances. Some boroughs find it more difficult to prosecute than others. Prosecutions take a lot of staff time and money and not all local authorities have equal access to these. This then can impact on enforcement activities.   Which means a business trading in Borough A may get away with a caution, while another food business in Borough AB may get prosecuted.

So what is the answer? Make sure you comply with food safety legislation and action any outstanding work your local Environmental Health Officer tells you to do. That way you protect yourself and there will be no need to compare enforcement activities amongst other food businesses that are doing the same wrong thing, but appear to be getting away with it.

If you are not sure what to do, or if you find yourself struggling, contact us today. This is what we are here for. Safe and Sound Food Solutions has a wealth of experience that will help your food business. Contact us today!

“By Bisi Oladipupo”