Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was received which advised the Committee of Enforcement Activity carried out by the Smithfield Enforcement Team at Smithfield Market during the four month period from 1 October 2013 – 31 January 2014.

A question was raised in respect of the programme to analyse samples of manufactured meats and minced meat products to verify compliance with compositional standards and species authentication as part of a National Co-ordinated Food Sampling Programme.  Port Health and Public Protection Director advised that the samples were mainly to target potential horsemeat or other species contamination problems and other types of failures. 

Members were informed that in the first instance where non-compliance was recognised, the Enforcement Team would provide verbal advice to traders.  Any subsequent offences would be dealt with through a more formal process.

A question was asked regarding the initiative between officers of the Smithfield Enforcement Team and the Food Standards Agency in relation to food delivery vehicles.  The Port Health and Public Protection Director advised that the campaign included all types of delivery vehicles.  The checking process required officers to contact the DVLA to establish where the vehicle was registered and afterwards to check with the Local Authority that it was a registered food business.  Members noted there had been occasions of non-compliance by businesses not based in the City; however, Officers were working with the FSA to ensure the process was carefully monitored.

Further to a question, the Port Health and Public Protection Director agreed to provide season by season comparatives on changes to the health and safety enforcement activities at the market.

The Committee congratulated officers for their work.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.