There are 533 food outlets in Salford deemed high risk by Environmental Health that need to be inspected over the course of 2022/2023, it has been reported. There are also 47 new or unrated businesses in the city that will also need inspecting, the new Food Service Plan has stated.
Salford City Council currently has 93.1 per cent of all food businesses (2023 premises out of 2149) rated as broadly compliant (FHRS score of 3, 4 or 5) which is a decrease of one per cent from April 2021. This should be looked at positively, the council said, as challenges faced both by the council in delivering the inspection programme and the additional pressures on food businesses in terms of income reduction.
In 2021-22 the Environmental Health Team dealt with 202 complaints and 204 requests for advice.
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“For 2022-23 for food standards there are 26 high risk premises, 688 medium risk, 255 low risk due an intervention and a further 60 premises outside the programme,” a report said. “Trading Standards service has identified these premises that all 26 high risk premises will be inspected as well as 26 medium risk premises, taking account of all high and medium risk primary producers, manufacturers and importers due an intervention.
“A minimum of 52 inspections will be undertaken. Other premises due an intervention will be incorporated into other project-based work where appropriate.
“In addition, the team plans to deliver 10 intelligence-led sampling inspections in takeaways to assess food standards compliance including the accuracy of allergen information. Food safety legislation requires all food businesses to have an effective food safety management system in place.”
Labelling was something that the Lead Member for Environment and Community Safety Barbara Bentham is keen to address as the year goes on with lack of English labels in some areas of Salford, in particular Broughton. Highlighting allergens on product labels is a key priority for Salford, as well as the UK following the introduction of Natasha’s Law.
The Trading Standards team received 65 complaints and 67 requests for service in relation to food standards and gave guidance on Natasha’s Law Prepacked for Direct Sale (PPDS) to 1200 businesses, 900 of which were successfully delivered.
This law requires all food outlets to provide full ingredient lists with clear allergen labelling on Pre Packed for Direct Sale foods (PPDS).
