Food Inspection and Sampling. To participate in South East London Food Liaison Group, LACORS, Food Standards Agency (FSA) and EU sampling programmes for both analysis and examination. • To carry out intelligence-led local sampling projects as a result of inspections, complaints or other information. • Number of food samples analysed or examined. OBJECTIVES PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Food Inspection and Sampling. The policy of the Council is to take at least twenty samples per year. This sampling includes samples taken as part of routine inspections, complaints, co-ordinated programmes in relation to European Union Directives and those programmes co-ordinated by Local Government Regulation and the Health Protection Agency. All of the sampling programme for the Council is agreed by and forms part of the Essex Food Group sampling programme. Formal individual samples will be taken when complaints are received concerning particular items and samples will on occasions be taken to provide evidence in cases where legal action is being considered. The twenty samples excludes the statutory samples taken in relation to shellfish classification and purification. It excludes samples taken on behalf of the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs via their agency the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in relation to monitoring biological toxins in shellfish production areas. This accounts for approximately 5 samples of shellfish flesh per year in addition to which water samples and samples of purified product are taken. Water samples, for drinking water standards and water borne pathogens, will be taken on request or where risk is suspected from vessels using the ports.
