Food Hygiene and Safety

Routine Inspections

Food premises across the City are routinely inspected by members of the Regulatory Services Division to check food safety standards. There are roughly 2,500 food premises in the City, last year we carried out 1,589 inspections at 1,773 food businesses.

Complaints Investigation

As well as routine inspections of food premises, we also investigate every complaint about food premises and contamination to ensure safety for all.

If you know or suspect that a food business (fixed or mobile) is operating using possibly unsafe working methods please get in touch and we will make sure that they are operating safely and within the law.

Food Sampling
(The Food Safety Mystery Customer)

Every month, along with other local authorities in Staffordshire, we identify a type of food which will be sampled. We purchase a range of identified items from food outlets across our City and carry out scientific analysis to make sure that these foods are safe to eat.

Food Poisoning Outbreaks and Incidents

If you have ever suffered from food poisoning, you will understand the agony and discomfort it can cause.

In the event of a food poisoning outbreak in the City the Regulatory Services Division takes responsibility for carrying out a thorough investigation. We can often identify the source of the problem and take action to prevent similar incidents occurring.

Food Hazard Warnings

If a food hazard warning is issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) identifying a product which may be unsafe. We notify businesses selling or supplying that product of the appropriate course of action to protect consumers.

Advice

We take every opportunity to promote food safety to everyone. If you need some advice on starting a business, holding a one-off event (big or small) or just need some general advice, contact us on 01782 232065, or by post at Regulatory Services Division, PO Box 2452, Hanley Town Hall, Albion Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1XP and we'll do everything we can to give you the advice you need.

General advice on food safety in several languages can be found here. You may need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader to download this information.