Our objective is to ensure that food in the South Hams is of the highest possible microbiological quality and is free from contamination. We have a statutory duty to ensure that the provisions of food law are adequately enforced within the South Hams. Principally we deal with food safety matters which include food hygiene. Matters regarding food standards e.g. labelling and descriptions are dealt with by Devon County Council Trading Standards Department.
Food Business Registration
The law requires that premises used in connection with a food business be registered with the local authority. These include market stalls, delivery vehicles, home caterers and mobile food vendors. There is no charge for registration but please note you must register 28 days before you start trading. You can download a Food Registration form [Adobe Acrobat Document -- will open in new browser window] here which you must fill in and return to Environmental Health and Housing, South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes TQ9 5NE, or apply online here.
Food Hygiene Training
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 requires food business operators to: "ensure that food handlers engaged in the food business are supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity." The law also requires food businesses to have in place a fully implemented food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP). The person responsible for this system must have received adequate training in these principles.
Most food handlers complete a Level 2 Food Hygiene Course and supervisors and managers should complete a Level 3 (formerly Intermediate) which includes HACCP training. It is recommended that food handlers undergo refresher training at least once every 3 years.
More information on accredited trainers.
Food Complaints
If you have a complaint about an item of food, conditions in food premises or food poisoning please contact us as soon as possible. Where it is appropriate we will investigate your complaint and provide you with details of our investigation. We will also ensure that the matter is taken up, in confidence, with the business concerned. If it is necessary to follow up matters formally, we will expect you to supply all relevant evidence to assist us. In the case of allegations of food poisoning we are likely to require stool specimens from patients. Complaints alleging illness from food consumption must be reported promptly to us. We have a policy for dealing with food complaints. Click here to view our policy.
Click here to view our enforcement policy regarding food safety.
Contact Number : 01803 861234 Email Address: environmental.health@southhams.gov.uk |
Documents in pdf format, as indicated by [pdf icon] , require reader software to view them
(please note these files may be large and take considerable time to download).
To obtain free pdf reader software, click on the logo below |
[Get Adobe Reader] |
