§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of food poisoning notifications to the Office of Populations Censuses and Surveys in each year since 1982 and for 1995 to date. [28614]
§ Mr. SackvilleInformation on the numbers of food poisoning cases reported to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is published annually in the MB2 series, communicable disease statistics, copies of which are available in the Library. For the years 1982–94, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 26 October 1994 at cols.684–85.
41WThe final figure for 1993 and provisional figures for 1994 and 1995 to date are given in the table:
Numbers of cases of food poisoning in England and Wales reported to OPCS Number 1993 (final) 68,587 1994 (provisional) 82,587 1995 (provisional) to 12 May 1995 22,275
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what financial assistance will be given to local environmental health officers to ensure that additional training measures are met to comply with the Food Safety (General Food) Regulations 1995; [28591]
(2) what estimate she has made of the total administrative costs in enforcing the new Food Safety (General Food) Regulations 1995. [28593]
§ Mr. SackvilleWe expect there to be no net cost for local authorities arising from the introduction of the new regulations, since they will replace broadly similar existing regulations. The Department has provided training seminars, free of charge, for local environmental health officers to learn the content of the new regulations.
£30 million, which was index-linked, was added to the revenue support grant on a continuing basis following the passage of the Food Safety Act 1990. The new regulations will be enforced under the provisions of the Act.
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that training regulations are met by food handlers handling high-risk foods following the introduction of the new Food Safety (General Food) Regulations 1995. [28595]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe regulations will require food handlers to be
supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activitiesThe Department is preparing detailed guidance on this, including a revision of Food Safety Act code of practice No. 9 on food hygiene inspections and a free booklet, to explain the requirements of the Regulations.
In addition, voluntary industry guides to good practice, which are being developed by sectors of the food industry in consultation with Government. enforcement and consumer interests will provide guidance on the level of training required by staff engaged on various duties.
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued in respect of additional training for environmental health officers which she will be required to meet in order to comply with the new Food Safety (General Food) Regulations 1995. [28592]
42W
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department of Health has held a series of training seminars on the new regulations. Two environmental health officers were invited from each environmental health department in England and Wales. One lecturer from each academic establishment running courses leading to qualification as an environmental health officer was also invited.
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding the introduction of the new Food Safety (General Food) Regulations 1995. [28594]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department issued the draft regulations for consultation on 18 February 1994 and received representations from 225 organisations and individuals. The vast majority welcomed the proposed regulations.
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued to outline what requirements hygiene hazard analysis systems should meet in food businesses following the introduction to the new Food Safety (General Food) Regulations 1995. [28596]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department is preparing a revision of Food Safety Act code of practice No. 9 on food hygiene inspections and a free booklet explaining the requirements of the regulations. In addition, voluntary industry guides to good hygiene practice, which are being developed by sectors of the food industry, in consultation with Government, enforcement and consumer interests will provide more specific guidance.