Bacteria

Owners of all food premises have a responsibility to comply with the Food Safety Act 1990 and other regulations such as the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995. It is also the owner's responsibility to ensure that he/she and his/her staff act upon that information and comply with current legislation regarding food safety.

Correct storage and handling of food are essential to minimise the risk of food poisoning through bacterial infection.

Action by the local authority

Under the Food Safety Act 1990, Environmental Health Officers from the local authority have powers to carry out bacterial sampling of food, food equipment and food handlers.The local authorities will send samples off to a laboratory for microbiological analysis.