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| Food
Sampling |
Sampling ensures:
food and food packaging meets legal standards for safety, quality, composition and
labelling
that animal food, which is manufactured or imported, also meets legal standards
Why are food samples taken?
The main aims and objectives of food sampling are to:
- Identify food that could pose a hazard to the consumer through the presence of
significant levels of harmful bacteria.
- Support the food law surveillance functions of the authority and assist in the
identification of food safety legislation -
contraventions.
- Assist in the evaluation of food hygiene practices in food businesses and to determine
if advice or enforcement action is
appropriate in premises where it is suspected that poor practices and procedures exist.
- Assess the microbiological quality of food manufactured, distributed or retailed in the
area.
When are food samples taken?
Food samples are taken to help the council:
- investigate food poisoning outbreaks and food contamination incidents
- investigate complaints
- assess food suspected of being sub-standard
- ensure that imported food complies with compositional requirements
- confirm whether the declarations made on the food label are accurate
- identify potential problems with specific types of food or types of food businesses
- reassure the public about food standards
- deliver a more effective food inspection service
What are done with sample results?
The result of individual food analysis helps:
- to identify whether there are any widespread problems with a specific type of premises
eg bakers
- to identify whether there are any widespread problems with a specific type of food
- traders to modify practices to improve quality/safety of food sold in Brent premises
- our investigations into food complaints, including establishing whether the food is fit
to eat
- traders to comply with complex compositional and labelling legislation
- to ensure consumers are not exposed to hazardous or unwholesome foods, or prejudiced by
food labelling
The Food Team is responsible for the sampling of foods from retailers within Westminster.
They continually check for labeling irregularities, misleading descriptions and
adulteration. Public houses are regularly visited and formal samples of beer and spirits
are purchased to check for watering and false description. All formal samples taken for
chemical analysis are submitted to the Public Analyst.
The Food Team work closely with the Food Standards Agency and in the event of a food
hazard warning will immediately visit implicated premises to seize or destroy dangerous
foods.
Types of Sampling
Chemical Analysis
Beers and Spirits - to check for adulteration and substitution.
Minced Beef - to check that only beef is used and also to check for the addition of non
permitted preservatives.
Sausages - to check that the declared meat content is correct and also for the presence of
non permitted preservatives.
Bacteriological Analysis
These samples are submitted to the Public Health Analysis (PHA) for examination. They
check and carry out investigations for presence of pathogens in the food. Types of samples
include:
water/ice,
illegal meats (e.g. smokies, imported foods without health markings or correct
labeling,etc.)
ready to eat meats
hot buffet foods/ rice, dried fish
cooked duck
sandwiches (e.g. pre-packed and loose)
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