An updated food service plan has been adopted by Northumberland County Council that sets out how its Public Protection Service will ensure the quality and safety of food in the county is maintained. 
 

There are over 3,600 food premises in Northumberland which are subject to food safety and food standards regulation and are inspected at intervals based on the risk category of the premises. 
 

The percentage of food businesses in the county with a food hygiene rating of satisfactory to very good (three to five stars) is 99 per cent, which is above regional and national averages 
 

In addition, there are more than 1,700 feed hygiene businesses – mainly farm premises – which are also subject to inspection to ensure hygiene, storage and labelling requirements are met. 
 

The Food & Feed, Safety & Standards Service Plan 2024/25 sets out the programme of work for the year ahead. It outlines the inspection programme, targets, enforcement actions and how staffing resources will be deployed so they have the most impact. It also reflects on the achievements of the previous year. 
 

Councillor Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for Looking after our Communities said: “Our Public Protection Service works very hard so we can have confidence in a high level of food safety and hygiene when it comes to food. 
 

“This service plan is produced on an annual basis in line with guidance from the Food Standards Agency and provides assurance we are keeping people safe and are committed to working with businesses in a transparent, fair and equitable way to deliver this important service.” 

 

All aspects of a food business are inspected including how food is stored, prepared, produced and served. The labelling, description and composition of the food on display and being sold is also checked. Fridge and freezer temperatures are checked, cleaning regimes verified, allergen controls monitored, and pest and waste control arrangements reviewed. Inspectors also require proof of staff food hygiene training and written food safety procedures. Businesses are then given a food hygiene rating, if eligible.  
  

As well as programmed inspections, the council’s Public Protection Service provides a reactive response to a wide variety of food safety, food standards & animal feed safety issues. These include complaints about food which does not meet legal standards, or which is thought to have caused illness, or premises deemed to be unhygienic.   

 

Enforcement action is taken, when necessary, but the council’s priority is to work with businesses to continue to raise standards.  

 

The service works in partnership with the UK Health Secuity Agency (UKSHA) to investigate notifications of infectious disease outbreaks. In 2023/24 a total of 159 infectious disease cases / food poisoning outbreak investigations were carried out.  

 

They also investigated 327 complaints covering hygiene and standards.