The Food Standards Agency issues 'Food Alerts'.
Food Alerts are a means of notifying the public and food authorities to serious problems concerning food, where it does not meet food safety standards.
Food Alerts are sent to Food Authorities electronically, this may be to the District Council or County Council or both as appropriate, having regard to their respective enforcement roles. Enforcing bodies liaise where there are issues that require a co-ordinated local, county or national approach.
Food Alerts were previously known as Food Hazard Warnings and were issued under four categories (A, B, C and D), but the new system took effect from 25 October 2004.
Now they are issued under two categories:
Food Alerts are also copied to Consultants in Communicable Disease Control and food trade organisations, to alert them to current food issues.
Food Alerts are often issued by the Food Standards Agency in conjunction with a product withdrawal or recall by a manufacturer, retailer or distributor after consultation with relevant Local Food Authorities and national co-ordination bodies.
Tandridge District Council takes appropriate local action in response to Food Alerts (for which it has responsibilities) by making direct contact with relevant food businesses by telephone, letter, fax or e-mail, by undertaking visits, or by making indirect contact via the local media.
Affected foods will usually be withdrawn from sale or supply through the voluntary co-operation of food businesses. However, the Council may seize or detain the food, if food business proprietors refuse to co-operate with voluntary withdrawal of the product.
The Council also works with other enforcement bodies to ensure that action is effective.
In addition, the Council promptly notifies the Food Standards Agency and all other relevant agencies if any potentially serious incidents that have local or national implications are identified locally via food complaints, food sampling, notifications from General practitioners or manufacturers etc.
For information on current Food hazard warnings contact: click here
