Food Safety, Food Standards and Nutrition |
FOOD SAFETY
A large number of people in Northern Ireland suffer from food poisoning each year. Food poisoning can be a nuisance for the average person, causing illness, unpleasant symptoms, time off work and sometimes segregation from school or the workplace for a specified period. Food poisoning can also be potentially life threatening for the very vulnerable e.g. young children, elderly or those recovering from illness or infection. Many cases of food poisoning can be avoided by following good hygiene practices during the manufacture, distribution, retail and preparation of food.
Environmental Health Officers at Antrim Borough Council will carry out the following work to reduce the risk of contamination of food;
- Offering advice to new businesses opening within the Borough
- Planned inspections of all food businesses within the Borough
- Routine microbiological sampling of food products
- Responding to hazard warnings to ensure unsafe food is not exposed for sale
- Investigation of consumer complaints in relation to unsatisfactory food
- Investigation of incidents of food poisoning
- Monitoring the importation of fish and fishery products via Belfast International Airport and products of non-animal origin
- Providing information and advice to consumers on food safety matters
- Working together with other agencies to achieve our goals
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme Seminars
The Environmental Health Food Control section is holding seminars at Antrim Civic Centre for the information of those food businesses who will be part of the forthcoming Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. The dates and times are:
11 Jan 10am
12 Jan 10am
20 Jan 2pm
10 Feb 2 pm
Businesses should contact the Environmental Health Food Team T. 028 9446 3113 to confirm their attendance.
FOOD STANDARDS
Environmental Health Officers at Antrim Borough Council are also concerned with how food is packaged and labelled so that consumers are well informed about the food they are eating. Food labels are an important source of information for consumers, providing the following details;
- Name of the food
- Weight
- Use-by date
- Preparation instructions
- Storage instructions
- Ingredients
- Manufacturers details
- Lot/Batch number
- Allergy advice
Many food manufacturers will now label pre-packed food items with the nutritional value of the food and compare this to recommended Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs). Manufacturers are not required to provide nutritional information unless they make a nutritional claim.
Environmental health Officers will carry out routine chemical sampling and compositional sampling of food products to ensure that food items contain the correct quantity of ingredients and meet specific compositional standards.
NUTRITION
Antrim Borough Council also works with caterers to help them take steps to ensure that their customers can make healthier choices when eating outside the home. Environmental health Officers will give advice to caterers on how to provide and promote healthy options on their menus.
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