§ 16. Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice is being given to environmental health officers in respect of the possible organised infringement of food hygiene regulations. [29387]
§ Mr. KynochAdvice on the enforcement of food hygiene regulations is contained in the codes of practice made under section 40 of the Food Safety Act 1990. Further advice is issued on an ad hoc basis when necessary.
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Minister will be aware of the fact that in my constituency, a shopkeeper was recently fined £1,000 for selling food that was 10 years out of date. Will he join me in congratulating the environmental health officers of Monklands district council on their efficiency in tracking down this appalling situation? In view of the seriousness of the offence and the possible danger to many vulnerable members of the community, such as the elderly and the very young, from eating contaminated food, will the Minister instruct his Department to give extra assistance to food hygiene inspectors so that any organised infringement can be tracked down?
§ Mr. KynochI was aware of the hon. Lady's problems with food labelling in her constituency. She is right to say that it was within the remit of the environmental health officers to deal with the matter. We are confident that they have sufficient powers under existing legislation to deal with such cases.