Food business operators have a legal responsibility to respond
to food incidents, for example by withdrawing or recalling food
from sale or supply. A food incident may occur when food produced
by a business does not meet food safety requirements.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has developed a free guide
entitled ‘Principles for preventing and responding to food
incidents’. This aims to help food businesses prevent or deal
efficiently with food incidents if they occur. The guide summarises
current best practice and follows lessons learnt by all key
stakeholders in the prevention and management of food
incidents.
You can obtain a copy of the free guide by calling the FSA
on 020 7276 8448 or you can
download a copy from the FSA website (new
window).
Food business operators are legally required to inform their
local authority and the Food Standards Agency if a food incident
occurs and there is reason to believe that food is not compliant
with food safety requirements.
If the food is also considered injurious to
health, food business operators must report the
incident immediately to the FSA by calling:
The Food and Safety Team at Suffolk Coastal can be contacted by
calling:
- 01394 444357 during normal office hours.
- 01502 527133 out of office hours and ask to
speak to the duty Environmental Health Officer.
If you run a food business, please ensure that your documented
food safety management system takes into account the advice given
here and in the guide.