§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure the effective application of the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1991.
§ Mr. SackvilleI have been asked to reply.
A statutory code of practice issued under section 40 of the Food Safety Act gives guidance to food authorities on the enforcement of the temperature control requirements contained in the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990 and 1991. This code sets out a staged approach to enforcement, with particular emphasis on educating and advising proprietors of food businesses. The Government have also published guidelines for enforcement authorities and the catering industry giving advice on the requirements of the regulations. In addition, officials have held meetings with representatives of the food industry to discuss the application of the regulations.