Our aim

Our main aim is to ensure that food manufactured, prepared or sold within the Runnymede Borough is in a safe condition for your consumption. This is undertaken in the context of the Food Safety Act 1990 which involves inspecting and enforcing hygiene standards in all food premises located within the Borough by authorised officers.

Key functions

We are responsible for:

• Enforcing food safety in food premises
• Registration of food premises
• Investigation of complaints about food sold/manufactured within the Borough
• Investigating cases of suspected/confirmed food poisoning and infectious disease control
• Food sampling.

Food Safety Service Plan

For more information about our specific objectives for the year and further details on the service, please use the link below.

Environmental Protection Service Plan 2008/09

Sampling

Samples of food from Food Premises are collected by inspectors to ensure food meets food safety requirements. Samples are tested by The Public Health Laboratory to set criteria for bacteria or can be sent to the Public Analysts for their expert opinion on physical contamination of food.

Sampling is usually undertaken for two reasons;

1. An inspector has reason to suspect food is contaminated and should not be eaten in that state as a result of a complaint or inspection.
2. As part of a National or European survey.

For more information please read the leaflet, Food Safety Sampling

Food Safety Award

This Authority issues Food Safety Awards for premises achieving high standards of food hygiene. For more details please read the leaflet Food Safety Awards.

Heartbeat Award

If a premises has a Food Safety Award they and provide a nutritionally balanced menu, they are eligible for the Heartbeat Award issued by West Surrey Health Authority in conjunction with Runnymede Borough Council. For more information please read the leaflet West Surrey Heartbeat Award.

Food Alerts for Action or information

Food Alerts are the Food Standards Agency's way of letting local authorities and consumers know about problems associated with food and, in some cases, providing details of specific action to be taken.

In response to these alerts you may receive a letter from either Runnymede Borough Council or Surrey County Council Trading Standards, informing you of the alert or we may visit your premises.

What inspectors do

Find out what inspectors do at food hygiene inspections

Customer Satisfaction

We aim to provide a high quality and good value service to the people of Runnymede, in a friendly and professional manner.

Enforcement Policy

We recognise that most businesses and individuals want to comply with the law. We will actively seek to help businesses and others meet their legal obligations without unnecessary expense, while taking firm action against those who flout the law or act irresponsibly, including prosecution where appropriate.

The Council aims to use a balanced approach of advice, assistance, encouragement, and where necessary by appropriate enforcement action. Enforcement will be carried out in a fair and consistent manner in accordance with the Enforcement Concordat which Runnymede Borough Council signed up to in November 1999. Included in the term 'enforcement' are advisory visits and assisting with compliance as well as licensing and formal enforcement action.

Further information is available on our Enforcement Policy

Contacts

Should you wish to speak to an Environmental Health Officer it is advised that you telephone the office number before 10.00 am or after 4.00 pm. Our administration staff will be more than happy to give advice or help as necessary or take your details to enable an officer to return your call. In addition, you may contact us by post or e-mail at the addresses below:

Email: technical@runnymede.gov.uk

Environmental Protection Division of 'Technical Services'

Runnymede Borough Council, Runnymede Civic Centre, Station Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2AH Tel: 01932 838383 Fax: 01932 838384