Food Sampling
Food sampling is an essential
part of the Council food safety work. As well as checking that food
complies with legal standards we are able to provide advice and
guidance to food businesses to help them ensure the food they
produce is safe.
Each year we carry out a programme of sampling
as well as responding to problems that we identify while carrying
out food safety inspections. The programme involves nationally
coordinated Health Protection Agency (
HPA
) surveys and also
programmes organised with the other Kent Local Authorities.
Locally, we target sampling on manufacturing
and high-risk food businesses. The programme includes sampling
imported foods. Food sampling is also used in the investigation of
food complaints and food poisoning incidents.
The results of all samples are given to the
food businesses. Unsatisfactory results are followed up with advice
or enforcement action as appropriate. If food is manufactured
outside the Borough, the producer and relevant local authority are
contacted where necessary. Where national food safety is at risk
the Food Standards Agency (
FSA
) will be consulted and food
alerts issued.
This webpage was updated on
5/2/2012