Inspection of food premises

Taunton Deane has approximately 1200 registered food businesses. All of which need inspecting at regular intervals. After an inspection a premises is given a risk score that will be used to determine how long it will be until the next inspection. This risk score is based on guidance issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) (external link).

Information on what we look for during a food hygiene inspection can be viewed on our Food Safety web page.

Star Rating Scheme

Taunton Deane gives all inspected food businesses a star rating. Our Star Rating Scheme page has more information.

New food Hygiene legislation

As a food business operator you will need to be aware of new food hygiene laws that came into force on 1st January 2006. As of that date food businesses need to comply with the requirements of European Union Regulations:

Food Standards Agency Regulations (external link)

An overview of this legislation can be viewed on our Hygiene Legislation web page.

In practice this does not differ a great deal from what was required under the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 and the Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995. However, there are some differences that are listed below:

• The definition of 'proprietor' has changed to 'food business operator'
• All food premises must now be registered with the competent authority (in this case, Taunton Deane Borough Council). However, businesses that are already registered with us will not have to re-register. If you are a new business please download a registration form (79.80 KB).
• Food business operators have to provide a documented food safety management system, or hazard analysis. As you may know, this has always been a requirement, but it was not a requirement to write anything down-although this was always recommended. As of 1st January 2006 food business operators shall put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures based on the HACCP Principles.

What are the Hazard Analyss and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Principles?

There are seven principles of HACCP. These are:

1. Identification of things that could go wrong in your food business (Hazard Analysis)
2. Identification of those hazards that are critical to Food Safety, and which need to be controlled to ensure safe food is produced (Critical Control Points).
3. Establishing limits for each critical control point that identify what is acceptable and what is not. This will help you prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazards identified in principle (1).
4. Monitoring the procedures in place for critical control points to ensure that they are within the limits set in principle (3).
5. Establish corrective actions that should be taken when the above monitoring reveals that a critical control point is outside the critical limits set in principle (3).
6. Establish procedures that are regularly carried out to ensure all the above principles are working effectively.
7. Establish documents and records to demonstrate that all the above principles are being carried out and are working effectively.

Another way for smaller businesses to comply with the new legislation is the Safer Food Better Business Pack that has been developed by the Food Standards Agency.

Downloadable documents

• Delivery check record sheet (10.9 KB)
• Cleaning Schedule Record Sheet (13.7 KB)
• Thermometer calibration sheet (45.3 KB)
• Fridge/freezer temperature record sheet (13.7 KB)
• Hazard Analysis Aide Memoir (9.54 KB)
• Hot temperature record sheet (42.7 KB)
• Registration Form (79.80 KB)
• 'Germometer' (19.29 KB)
• List of registered trainers

What you will need to start a food business

If you are thinking of starting up a food business there are some additional things that you should consider

• Taunton Deane Food Safety Team has put together a 'starter pack' to help new businesses understand what they have to do to comply with the law. Please email food.safety@tauntondeane.gov.uk if you would like one of these packs.
• If you plan to operate a mobile food van you may require a licence from Taunton Deane Borough Councils Licensing Team in addition to the food business registration form. For more advice on this please contact the Licensing Team on 01823 356343 or email licensing@tauntondeane.gov.uk.
• If you are converting an existing premises that is not a food premises into a food premises you may require planning permission. Please contact the Planning Department 01823 356459 or email planning.admin@tauntondeane.gov.uk.

The documents on this website can be downloaded and are published using the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).  To view or print these documents, Adobe's Acrobat PDF reader is required which can be downloaded from the Adobe Systems' Website (external link).