Food Safety
« Back
The Council enforces food control legislation with the aim of ensuring the safe production and sale of food within the District, reduce the possibility of food borne illness and protect the consumer with regard to composition and labelling of food.
Environmental Health Officers inspect and risk assess food premises to ensure compliance with food safety legislation. Advice and information is also provided to persons who are involved in the preparation, production and sale of food. Officers also take appropriate enforcement action where contraventions of food hygiene legislation have not been rectified.
Where there is imminent risk to consumers, Officers can serve an emergency prohibition notice which forbids the use of premises or equipment - this action must be confirmed by the Court.
The Food Officers also:
- Control licensed street traders who supply foodstuffs.
- Obtain food samples for bacteriological examination and chemical analysis, deal with food complaints, and investigate cases of food poisoning.
- Educate food handlers, the general public and school/college students.
- Organise or take part in exhibitions, and displays.
- Inspect food-manufacturing plants acting as home authority where appropriate.
- Ensure that all unsound food is disposed of effectively.
- Regularly carry out temperature control exercises on food stored and prepared for human consumption
Infectious Disease Control
Environmental Health Officers investigate the sources of infectious diseases, on behalf of the Eastern health and Social Services Board, and assist in their control in order to prevent spread throughout the community. Investigations may be associated with food borne illness or other sources, for example, diseases of animal origin, or associated with foreign travel.
For further information, please contact the Environmental Health Department.
Contacts
Environmental Health
Downshire Civic Centre
Downshire Estate
Ardglass Road
Downpatrick
BT30 6RA
T: 028 4461 0823