Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 18 December 2001 For Use: Immediately

Press Links

Environmental Health Officers Praised

Responding to comments from the Food Standards Agency on Food Law Enforcement in the Western Isles, the Chairman of Environmental Services, Cllr. Angus Nicolson, said:

“I am delighted that the capabilities of the Environmental Health Officers have been nationally recognised, following an intensive audit by the Food Standards Agency. The practical skills and experience of our officers has ensured that the Comhairle is protecting consumers in an efficient and effective manner.”

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk

PRESS RELEASE

Communications Officer: John Booth: 01224 285120 Tuesday 18 December 2001 90/01

WESTERN ISLES DINERS WELL PROTECTED

Consumers eating out, grabbing a takeaway or buying their weekly groceries in the Western Isles are sufficiently protected by their local environmental health officers, according to a report published by the Food Standards Agency Scotland today.

An in-depth analysis of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s food law enforcement activities has been carried out by the Agency as part of a national drive to improve standards of consumer protection.

The audit of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar found that:

staff are knowledgeable, competent and motivated

food premises are inspected at the minimum frequency

a comprehensive sampling programme is in place.

Some areas for improvement were identified, however, including:

documented procedures for responding to food hazard incidents need to be implemented

a staff training programme is required.

m/f

Jim Thomson, Assistant Director with the Food Standards Agency Scotland, said:

“Environmental health officers are the front line troops in protecting consumers from poor hygiene standards and it is vitally important that they carry out their duties effectively.

“The team at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has demonstrated a sufficient level of food law enforcement and is committed to an ethos of continuous improvement.”

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

A team of auditors closely scrutinised the work of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and assessed the council’s conformance with specified standards.

All 32 councils in Scotland are being audited as part of a three-year rolling programme which aims to improve consistency and tackle any problems which hinder effective enforcement.

A copy of the full audit report for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is available at www.food.gov.uk.

Ends

For further information, media should contact John Booth on 01224 285120. Out of hours contact: 07699 782183.

18 December 2001
Food Standards Agency Scotland
www.food.gov.uk/scotland