Food sampling
This page contains detailed advice on North Devon Council's food sampling programme.
Our responsibilities
North Devon Council recognises the important contribution food sampling makes to the protection of public health and our food law enforcement functions.
Our Food Safety team is responsible for undertaking the food sampling functions.
Wherever possible, food-sampling activities will include current national, regional and locally co-ordinated programmes as well as samples taken as a result of:
This page contains detailed advice on North Devon Council's food sampling programme.
Our responsibilities
North Devon Council recognises the important contribution food sampling makes to the protection of public health and our food law enforcement functions.
Our Food Safety team is responsible for undertaking the food sampling functions.
Wherever possible, food-sampling activities will include current national, regional and locally co-ordinated programmes as well as samples taken as a result of:
- complaints
- process monitoring
- inspections
- prime authority activities
- special investigations
- imported foods
The following factors
will be taken into account when developing the sampling programme:
- protection of the consumer through the enforcement of food legislation
- identifying foods that pose a hazard to the consumer because they contain significant levels of pathogenic bacteria
- assessing the microbiological quality of food manufactured, distributed or retailed in the area
- identifying contravention’s of food safety legislation
- helping determine whether advice or enforcement action would be appropriate where it is suspected that poor practices and procedures exist
- offering advice and guidance, if appropriate, on food hygiene matters
Food sampling
programmes
Scope of sampling
Devon County Council are responsible for food standards issues such as food composition or labelling, which usually require analysis of the samples.
Food complaints
Samples of food received as a food complaint may require either microbiological examination or chemical analysis.
All food complaints are taken seriously and the results of an examination or analysis may generate the need for more controlled sampling of the food product or from the food premises.
Sampling policies
Scope of sampling
Devon County Council are responsible for food standards issues such as food composition or labelling, which usually require analysis of the samples.
Food complaints
Samples of food received as a food complaint may require either microbiological examination or chemical analysis.
All food complaints are taken seriously and the results of an examination or analysis may generate the need for more controlled sampling of the food product or from the food premises.
Sampling policies
To contact the Customer Service Centre:
Telephone: 01271 388870
For Typetalk: precede with 18001
Fax: 01271 388451
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Textphone (callers must have Typetalk compatible equipment; this number does not support voice communication or SMS): 01271 388786 (during our normal working hours)
Web form: send us a web enquiry
Our office hours are 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
For further information see the Environmental Health service contact page
