§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to ensure the inspection of food factories; what information he has concerning the quality of processes in such factories; whether any action has been taken against such factories in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanEnforcement of food law is the responsibility of local authorities. No central records are kept of the number of actions taken against food processing factories which are inspected by environmental health officers. The Government's White Paper "Food Safety—Protecting the Consumer" contains proposals—amongst other things for extension of enforcement in food processing factories by permitting additional inspection by trading standards officers. The Government's intentions to make regulations on stricter food storage temperatures and to introduce tighter controls on certain food processes have been announced previously. Taken together, these measures will give local enforcement authorities an enhanced inspectorate role.