Inspection of food premises
Officers have a right to enter and inspect food premises at all reasonable hours. They do not have to make an appointment and will usually come without advance notice.
The frequency of our visits will depend on a risk assessment that takes into account the type of food handled; people at risk; how the business is managed; the condition of the premise and any complaints that we have received.
Powers of the officers
Officers have the power to take samples, photographs and inspect records. They may take food they suspect to be unsafe. As a result, they may recommend prosecution or impose prohibitions on the business, process or equipment.
If there is an imminent risk to the public, officers may serve a hygiene emergency prohibition notice, which forbids the use of processes, premises or equipment.
The Inspection
The officer will explain why the inspection is being made. Inspections can be programmed or made in response to a complaint. During the visit, the officer will look at the condition of the food rooms, assess food hygiene practices, take temperature recordings of equipment and may take samples of food for examination.
The officer will check that paperwork relating to incoming goods, temperature control, staff training, cleaning schedules, waste contracts and pest control records are in place and up to date, and will interview members of staff.
After The Inspection
After the inspection, the officer will discuss their findings with you and answer any of your queries, clarifying legal requirements, and making recommendations for improvement. The officer will discuss time scales within which the work must be completed and give you details of any follow up visit that may be required to check on your progress.
It is essential that you contact the officers if work cannot be completed within the time allotted. If you have problems you should discuss them with the officer before the time is up.
What if you think the outcome is unfair?
You have a right of appeal to a magistrates' court against a hygiene improvement notice. A magistrate's court must confirm an emergency closure of a business or seizure of food. If the magistrate's court decide that a premises has been shut without proper reason or food has been wrongly taken away, you have a right to compensation.
The food hygiene score for restaurants, takeaways and other catering premises is published on the internet as a star rating. This gives consumers the ability to choose where to eat based on the hygiene of the premises. You can view Scores on doors database.
Contact us
All formal legal action is taken according to the Local Authority Enforcement Policy. If you would like a copy of our Enforcement Policy![(PDF [18.2Kb] opens in new window)](/images/PDF.gif)
or guide leaflet "Our Powers, Your Rights", please contact us on telephone: 0151 233 3000 or fax: 0151 225 6039 or by email environmental.health@liverpool.gov.uk