- complaints
- process monitoring
- inspections
- home Authority Principle 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, e.g. Food Safety Act 1990 Section 8 (food which is unfit or food which is so contaminated) or Section 14 (food not of the quality)
- 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 composition and labelling
Food standards issues relating to foods produced and sold within Devon, such as composition and labelling where sampling would normally be required, are the responsibility of Heart of the South West Trading Standards, or the relevant unitary authority for food produced or sold within Torbay and Plymouth.
Food Complaints
Samples of food received as food complaints 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
Please see our Food Sampling Policy. We may also publish our sampling programme.