You take it for granted when you eat out, buy food in the shops or restaurants that the food you enjoy will not do you any harm. Have you ever given a thought as to why you can be so confident? 

The task of ensuring restaurants, cafes, caterers and takeaways serve only food prepared under the best possible hygienic conditions falls to our environmental health team, which is responsible for enforcement of the Food Safety Act 1990 and associated legislation.

The team is responsible for registering and inspecting all food preparation premises and assessing them for hygiene and food safety standards. A big part of our job is educating and encouraging businesses to follow best practice. As well as hygiene training we run initiatives such as Safer Food Better Business and the Clean Food Award which are aimed at instilling high standards.

We also investigate and pursue complaints against food establishments and can take enforcement action.