Survey Of Food Hygiene Standards, UK

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 14 Oct 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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In 2005, the Food Standards Agency collected baseline data on food hygiene standards in UK establishments. The Agency is running a follow-up online survey to assess the impact of the EC Food Hygiene Regulation, which came into force in January 2006, on hygiene standards.

Seventy three percent of local authorities participated in the 2005 survey, collecting information from about 5,000 establishments. All UK local authorities are again asked to complete the survey and recognise the value of this data by showing the same spirit of collaboration.

This second survey, which can be completed online at the link below, asks local authorities about hygiene standards in UK food establishments, using data collected by food law enforcement officers during their planned inspections.

The survey should be completed and submitted by 30 November 2007.

Why is this data collected and how will it be used?

Currently, the FSA has no other means of collecting data from inspections undertaken by enforcement officers.

The data will be used by the FSA to assess the impact of the new EC Regulation and our initiatives, such as Safer Food Better Business, have had on the UK food hygiene standards since the 2005 survey. In addition, the data helps the Agency develop enforcement practices and policies.

The data can also be used by local authorities to develop their inspection schedules. For example, the 2005 survey showed that food businesses operating for less than three months had a greater problem of food safety, compared to those operating between three months and one year. Such data allows for more targeted inspections by officers and better use of resources.

-- Letter about 2007 survey of hygiene standards in UK food establishments - Letter issued to local authorities in England, 8 October 200(PDF)7

-- Report on 2005 survey of hygiene standards in UK food premises (PDF)

http://www.food.gov.uk

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