Food Sampling

We recognise the important contribution food sampling makes to the protection of Public Health and the Food Law Enforcement functions of the Authority.

Our Food Safety officers will be responsible for undertaking the food sampling programme of the Council as required by the Food Standards Agency.

Wherever possible, food-sampling activities will include current national, regional and locally co-coordinated programmes as well as samples taken as a result of:

• Complaints;
• Process monitoring;
• Inspections;
• Home Authority Principle activities;
• Special investigations;
• Imported foods

The following factors will be taken into account when developing the Sampling Programme: -

• Protection of the consumer through the enforcement of food legislation;
• Identifying foods that pose a hazard to the consumer because they contain significant levels of pathogenic bacteria;
• Assessing the microbiological quality of food manufactured, distributed or retailed in the area;
• Identifying contraventions of food safety legislation.
• Helping determine whether advice or enforcement action would be appropriate where it is suspected that poor practices and procedures exist;
• Offering advice and guidance, if appropriate, on food hygiene matters;

The sampling programme is coordinated county wide by the Devon Food Liaison Group wherever possible take part, in all food sampling surveys it is requested to participate in. On occasions, surveys may have limited relevance to the area as they involve foods not available locally (or in limited supply) or refer to types of food premises not sited in the area. In such cases we may have to limit the number of samples we submit to the laboratory or opt out of the survey entirely

• Food Sampling Programmes
• A councils food sampling programme will be determined by the following:
• National Programmes
• National surveys may be organised by the:
• Food Standards Agency, as part of the EC co-coordinated sampling programme;
• Local Authority Co-coordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards (LACORS);

Regional Sampling Programme

To meet the requirements of the Food Standards Agency Code of Practice and practice guidance the Devon Food Liaison Group which includes members from the local food microbiology laboratory, Trading Standards, Health Protection Agency and all Environmental Health Departments in Devon co-ordinate many sampling programmes looking at products of particular local significance recent studies have included cooked meat from farmers markets, local cooked crab, hogs pudding and rice from local takeaways.

All the members agree recommendations and strategies for sampling surveys. Suggestions/justifications for future surveys are made either by food officers through the food liaison meetings or as a result of outbreaks/ incidents involving certain foods, where an extended survey could establish whether there could be a more widespread problem.

Wherever possible, one survey will usually include a questionnaire where additional information is gathered which may indicate reasons for poor sample results and assist in determining whether advice or enforcement action would be appropriate. A Protocol for the survey will normally be drawn up

Local Sampling Programmes

A survey for your district council may be generated for various reasons, including:

• a follow up to a food poisoning incident;
• local problems highlighted as a result of taking part in national or regional surveys;
• local sampling initiatives.

Scope of Sampling

The Unitary Authorities Torbay and Plymouth are responsible for Food Standards issues such as food composition or labeling, (which usually require analysis of the samples). In the rest of Devon these matters are the responsibility of Devon County Council through the Trading Standards Department.

Food Complaints

Samples of food received as a food complaint may require either microbiological examination or chemical analysis.

All food complaints are taken seriously and the results of an examination or analysis may generate the need for more controlled sampling of the food product or from the food premises.

Sampling Policies

The Council has a sampling policy. Click here to view our sampling policy.

If you require any details of our sampling programme please contact us environmental.health@southhams.gov.uk or on 01803 861234