§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific formal training environmental health officers are given in regard to food safety regulations.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe most common route to qualification as an environmental health officer is a four-year honours degree in environmental health which has received accreditation from the Institution of Environmental Health Officers and which includes integrated practical training. The content, interpretation and application of food safety legislation is covered in detail, and a central theme on all courses is risk assessment, so that environmental health officers are able to assess whether action under the Food Safety Act 1990 and associated regulations is necessary to protect public health. In addition the Department of Health runs seminars for environmental health officers on risk assessment and the implementation of European Community legislation.