Food Policy

It is recognised that food sampling provides a valuable contribution to the protection of the public and the food law enforcement functions of the authority and that the food and water sampling programme is a valuable tool to assist in determining food safety standards.

The following are the key objectives for sampling recognised by the authority:

• to protect the consumer through the enforcement of food legislation
• to obtain recognised and usable microbiological standards for foods, via a nationally co-ordinated sampling programme;
• to assist in the assessment of food safety and to help in the evaluation of hazard analysis (or HACCP) management systems
• to check that food complies with statutory microbiological standards, where available;
• to assess the microbiological quality of food manufactured, distributed or retailed in the authority’s area
• to verify that the control measures operated by the business are effective and ensure the food safety of their products
• to identify specific foodstuffs that could pose a hazard to the consumer because they may contain significant levels of pathogenic bacteria
• to facilitate the issue of an export certificate

When sampling, officers will have regard to the Food Law Code of Practice and comply with additional guidance issued by the Food Standards Agency. Officers will also undertake appropriate training in sampling techniques.

It is recognised that good co-operation and co-ordination at a national and local level is necessary to achieve some objectives and therefore the authorities are committed to:

1. Participating in and co-operating with the Food Standards Agency’s national sampling schemes
2. Participating in and co-operating with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) national schemes
3. Co-ordinating with adjoining local authorities and local UKHSA to agree locally co-ordinated sampling
4. Undertaking final product and critical control point monitoring as part of the authority’s own primary authority responsibilities and to avoid duplication with other Port Health or Primary Authorities
5. Assisting businesses when sampling by the local authority is required in relation to the health certification of products for export

An annual sampling programme will be drawn up based on the objectives above to cover:

• UKHSA and FSA co-ordinated sampling
• locally co-ordinated sampling including locally manufactured products and approved premises
• identified high risk businesses
• poor performing businesses
• lower risk businesses as part of an alternative intervention strategy

The sampling programme will take account of the number, type and risk ratings of food businesses within the Buckinghamshire area, the authority’s own Primary Authority responsibilities and the need to ensure that the provisions of food law are adequately enforced.

Adequate resources will be available to fulfil the annual sampling programme. However, in the event of food poisoning outbreaks and other emergency incidences, additional resources will be made available as necessary.

When deciding to sample, the following should be considered:

1. Whether further processing of the food will reduce or eliminate micro-organisms prior to consumption
2. The role played by hazard analysis or HACCP in the production of safe food
3. The statistical confidence in the sampling technique

All businesses will be notified at the time of sampling of the purpose of taking the sample and will be sent the results. In circumstances where results are unsatisfactory, businesses will be notified of the result and given advice and guidance to remedy the specific problem. Officers will follow up unsatisfactory results with visits and further sampling where necessary.

As part of informal monitoring, the company concerned generally will volunteer the sample to the sampling officer. However, if the company requests payment or the quantity or frequency of sampling is likely to give rise to significant financial consequences for the owner of the food, then the food may be purchased.

If enforcement action is anticipated under Section 14 of the Food Safety Act following microbiological examination, the sampling officer should purchase the sample. Otherwise, in other circumstances, powers under the Food Safety Act 1990 will be used. Enforcement action will be in accordance with the Enforcement Policy. In relation to nationally co-ordinated sampling programmes, the protocol concerning obtaining the sample will be followed.

All private water supplies will be monitored and risk assessed in accordance with the Private Water Supplies Regulations. This is carried out by the Strategic Environment Team who will work closely with Commercial Team officers where food businesses are supplied by a private water supply or distribution network.

Where a food poisoning outbreak is suspected, faecal specimens will be taken together with any remaining foodstuffs, as a matter of priority and as directed by UKHSA or the Incident/Outbreak Control Team (if one has been convened).

Individual cases of suspect food poisoning will be referred initially to their General Practitioner unless officers feel other action is merited or requested by UKHSA. Foodstuffs will be sampled where evidence supports this action but this will not normally be the case where there is little or no causative link with a food business.