FOOD HYGIENE
good hygiene standards. But the
council helps any business improve its
ratings – especially if one should get a
score of two or below, because public
safety is the council’s priority and we
want them to reach the best standard
possible as quickly as possible.
“Usually it is a simple matter of the
right training and introducing a few new
routines that can make all the difference.
“The council runs regular training
courses, accredited by the Chartered
Institute of Environmental Health, with
the help of University of West London. It
is also working with the Food Standards
Agency and NSF Ltd, an international
food safety consultancy, to provide
on-site coaching to some of the poorest
performing businesses so they can bring
themselves up to a sufficient standard.
“We have a borough with so many
fantastic places producing great food
and we want everyone to reach the
heights of our best businesses. We
want everyone to know Ealing is the
place to go for a good meal.”
SERVING TOUGH ACTION
Because there is the occasional case
where a business is so bad that it poses
a risk to public health, it is important the
council also has a strong environmental
health team which does not hesitate to
take enforcement action where necessary.
Since last April, the council has
carried out around 1,000 inspections
on the highest risk premises across the
borough. And, action taken by officers
in the previous 12 months (2013/14)
prevented 12 tonnes of unsafe
imported food from entering the food
chain and removed more than 3.5
tonnes of unsafe food from businesses.
In 2013/2014 the council served the
highest number of Hygiene Emergency
Prohibition Notices of the London
boroughs and the second highest
number nationally. These notices are
served to deal with imminent risks to
public health such as pest infestations
and serious risks of cross-contamination.
They usually require the immediate
closure of a business.
During this period, the
council also served the fifth
highest number of Hygiene
Improvement Notices in
London and the seventh
highest in the country.
Typical reasons for
theses notices include
lack of training or a
lack of a food safety
management system.
They are generally served
to remedy significant, but
not imminent, risks to
public health.
In addition, Ealing concluded the
fourth highest number of prosecutions
in London and the ninth highest
nationally. The prosecutions are mainly
reserved for the most serious or
persistent offences.
In October 2014, Ealing was selected
as one of five councils across the country
to trial the Better Business Compliance
Partnership pilot. This initiative led by
the Cabinet Office brought together the
resources and intelligence of national
bodies, including the Home Office and
HMRC (revenue and customs), with
locally held information from council
teams. The pilot project in Ealing focused
on and tackled multiple rule breakers and
persistently non-compliant businesses.
REPORT IT
Anyone concerned about food hygiene
at a business should contact the council’s
food safety team. Call 020 8825 6666 or
email [email protected]
around ealing
Summer 2015
15