Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection

Members received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection advising on the Enforcement Activity carried out by the Smithfield Enforcement Team during the four month period 1 October 2014 to 31 January 2015.

Two successful funding bids to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in respect of the FSA’s National Co-ordinated Food Sampling Programme 2014/15 and a food standards and traceability project were noted.

An outline of the guidance and training developed for Smithfield traders to assist them in complying with their legal obligations in respect of the new Food Information Regulations 2014 was also provided.

In respect of enforcement under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, it was noted that there was a reduction in the level of verbal advice given to traders, market customers and self-employed persons.

The Chairman asked what the City’s role was when dealing with unsatisfactory product results. The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection informed Members that enforcement responsibility rested with those local authorities where the producers were based and that the City would advise them of any such results. Those authorities would normally take action as a consequence, but the City also had the ability to escalate matters to the Food Standards Agency if it felt insufficient action was being taken.

Members enquired about animal by-product controls, considering an explanation on the difference between produce declared unfit for human consumption and produce which was past its use by date. The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection informed the Committee that the two were not separated for the purpose of this report when counting the kilos of by-product, with any produce past its use by date deemed unfit for human consumption and therefore included in the total calculation. However, he would be happy to look into whether it was possible to obtain the separate figures and advise the Chairman outside the meeting.

The Chairman asked for clarification on whether the position of a temporary officer for the Smithfield Enforcement team was necessary to replace a retired authorised officer. The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection explained that a short term appointment had been made as the entirety of the Corporation’s environmental health arrangements were currently under review, and therefore it would have been precipitate to make a permanent appointment until the outcome of this review was known.

The Committee congratulated officers for managing to keep the number of incidents of enforcement requiring a written notice at zero during the 2^nd quarter of this period.

Resolved.That the contents of the report be noted