Inspections
We carry out regular checks on all food premises. This is to make sure the public is protected and that high standards are maintained.
Visits, as far as possible, are without warning. They are priority programmed according to the degree of potential risk. This is to make sure that higher risk premises are visited more frequently than those that are lower risk.
For more on how we plan and follow up visits, we will soon publish a new Food Service Plan.
During an inspection, Officers will want to assure themselves that:
- Potential food safety risks have been identified by the business.
- There are controls in place to prevent any problems.
- The training of managers and food handlers is suitable.
- The condition of the premises and equipment is satisfactory.
Where practices or conditions are not satisfactory, every attempt will be made to resolve the situation by informal means. Where poor conditions persist or there is a public health risk, we may resort to formal action. This can be:
- Service of legal notice.
- Prosecution.
- Closure of the business (in extreme cases).
All food businesses must register with their local authority, please see: Food business registration.
Appeal a rating
Note: You can only appeal your rating within 21 days of your inspection.
To appeal, download and complete this form: Make an appeal (Food Standards Agency).
Return the form to Mr Andrew Sewell (Senior Environmental Health Officer, Community Protection Team).
- Address: Calderdale MBC, Town Hall, Wesley Court, Halifax. HX1 1UJ.
- Email: community-safety@calderdale.gov.uk.
If you do not want to appeal, you can Request another assessment.
Request another assessment
You must prove that you have done specified works or taken extensive steps to improve your business.
An Officer will visit your premises within three months of your request being approved. Note: There is a fee of £145 to be paid for this.
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS)
National
This is linked with most councils in England and is run by the Food Standards Agency.
- It is based on the structure, hygiene practices and management controls within the food business.
- The ratings go from a five (excellent) to zero (very poor).
- A rating of three may be taken to show that a business complies with the law.
For details of the rating criteria, please read:
As a guide, a rating of 3 shows legal compliance.
For more about the hygiene rating scheme, visit: More about food hygiene ratings.
Ratings in Calderdale
- Visit: Food hygiene ratings (Food Standards Agency).
Food Safety Management Systems
If you run a food business, you and your staff must follow certain procedures and regulations.
Food safety management
A food safety management system or hazard analysis asks you to think logically about:
- What might go wrong with the food that you sell;
- and what you must do to ensure it is safe for your customers.
They are based on food safety practices that you will already be familiar with. They help to prevent problems rather than reacting to them after they have happened.
Why there is a food safety management system/hazard analysis
- It helps to make sure that food is safe for customers to eat.
- It is a legal requirement for all food businesses.
- If your business is taken to court, you may be able to demonstrate that you had exercised diligence. This is through putting arrangements in place to prevent an offence being committed.
Safer Food, Better Business pack
This is a practical and easy-to-use guide to help you:
- Comply with food hygiene regulations.
- Show what you do to make food safely.
- Train staff.
- Protect your business's reputation.
- Improve your business.
- Improve your food hygiene rating score. Note: You cannot get a rating of 5 without an appropriate food safety management system, such as this pack.
It includes information on:
- cross-contamination;
- cleaning;
- chilling;
- cooking;
- management;
- and use of the diary.
How to get the pack
- Buy a printed copy from us.
- To download a pack, visit: Safer food, better business pack (Food Standards Agency).
- Buy from reputable online retailers.
- You can also use other packs if all the above topics are covered.
Food Safety Regulations
It an offence for anyone to sell or process food for sale that is harmful to health under:
- The Food Safety Act 1990;
- and regulations made under it.
These oblige businesses to make sure that their activities are carried out in a hygienic way.
Running a food business means that you are responsible for protecting the health of your customers.
Note: Around five million people suffer from food poisoning in England and Wales each year.
For more about this, visit: Food Standards Agency.
For advice or guidance on how the law relates to your business, please contact Environmental Health Services:
- Address: Crossley Street, Halifax. HX1 1TP.
- Phone: 01422 288001.
- Email: community-safety@calderdale.gov.uk.