• Food safety auditing;
• HACCP development and implementation;
• Food hygiene training (Foundation and intermediate levels);
• Food poisoning investigation;
• Supplier audits
• Food sampling and swabbing services
• Health & safety auditing;
• Health & safety policy development;
• Health & safety risk assessment; and
• Health & safety training

Food safety auditing:

A scored audit that provides an immediate assessment of the overall standards of food safety. Written reports are also provided, to include defects and issues that impact on food safety, e.g. HACCP, documentation, structure, equipment and practices. In addition written reports provide a detailed explanation of urgent issues and will provide guidance on how to improve your hygiene rating if you are operating in an area where the 5 star hygiene rating scheme ( Scores on the Doors ) is being implemented by the Local Authority.

Development of a documented food safety policy and HACCP development and implementation:

A fundamental purpose of a policy is that it assists in providing a quality food management system and is an aid in demonstrating due diligence. Policies and procedures deal with the following issues : Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points ( HACCP ) , Purchase, Receipt/Delivery, Storage, Cold holding, Cooking, Cooling, Re heating, Hot holding, Personnel, Health policy, Training, Cleaning, Pest Control, Structure, Temperature monitoring, Internal audits, External audits, Food complaints ,allegations of food poisoning and staff fitness.

A documented HACCP system [ which is a food safety risk assessment of the food activities ] is now a legal requirement under EC Regulation 852/2004 and the Food Hygiene ( England ) Regulations ( amended ) 2006. It also assists in providing confidence to the client and the clients customers that the food that is being prepared and sold is safe to consume . It also assists in demonstrating due diligence.

In some circumstances your food business will need an approval from the Food Authority under EC Regulation 853/2004. Where you have been told by your Food Authority that this is required , FSM can also assist in guiding you through the approval process.

Food hygiene training (Foundation and Intermediate levels):

FSM offers through our Associates the following Chartered Institution of Environmental Health (CIEH) courses:

• Foundation Level Food Hygiene Certificate Training
• Intermediate Level Food Hygiene Certificate Training

Training can be arranged for small to medium sized groups
(typically 4 - 20 students per session) at clients' premises.

Food poisoning investigation:

Not only is this good practice but also serves to assure customers that the client treats all complaints seriously. Support can vary from a telephone call to an audit of the complaint premises and interview of the relevant customers, for which a written report would be produced. It may be appropriate in some circumstances to undertake laboratory examination and analyses of food and contact surfaces.

Supplier audits:

An important part of the HACCP approach, which identifies food safety issues that could impact on the safety and quality of the food supplied to your business. Prior to an audit a ‘declaration’ would be obtained from a supplier followed by an audit of their operations and a report produced with recommendations. The regularity of audits is determined by the food safety risk of the product. So that suppliers of foods that are ready to eat and not subjected to further cooking are audited bi-annually (as a minimum) and that suppliers of foods that are subjected to a cooking process are audited yearly ( as a minimum).

Food sampling and swabbing services:

Client premises are subjected to swabbing and food sampling for micro-biological examination. Swabbing is useful in providing evidence of the adequacy of cleaning regimes within a food operation. Food sampling can include testing of ice and potable water. Sampling assists in determining the continued suitability of approved suppliers.

Health & Safety auditing:

Workplace accidents can be avoided if employers observe high standards of health and safety in the workplace. Complying with the increasingly complex array of health and safety legislation can also assist in reducing workplace accidents and may assist with reducing Employer Liability insurance premiums ( you should discuss this with your insurance provider ). Through our associates FSM can help by arranging for a health and safety audit of your business. We look at all aspects of the business and produce comprehensive reports detailing not only where there are failures to comply with legislative requirements, but also make recommendations in respect of good practice.

Health & Safety policy development:

Written health & safety policies are a legal requirement for all businesses employing 5 or more staff (including part time). Such policies can produce significant benefits in improving health and safety standards within an organisation, by specifying the standards/controls in place to minimise or prevent particular workplace hazards.

FSM through its associates can help in the preparation of a bespoke health and safety policy for your business. A comprehensive policy manual containing all additional safety management documentation (e.g. accident investigation forms; internal health and safety audit report forms; induction training record forms, etc.) is prepared after a comprehensive health and safety audit of the clients business is undertaken.

Health & Safety risk assessment:

Health and safety law requires that the operators of all businesses undertake an assessment of the risks to their staff when they are at work. The law also requires that employers with 5 or more staff document the significant findings of their risk assessments. FSM through its associates has extensive experience in assisting employers in the catering industry undertake health and safety risk assessments. For clients with multiple sites, template generic risk assessment documentation can be provided which can be tailored to provide a site specific health and safety risk assessment. Training in the operation of this risk assessment system can also be provided.

Health & Safety training:

FSM through its associates can provide health and safety training courses.

FSM can also develop bespoke health and safety training courses to meet the needs of individual clients. Attendance certificates (issued by FSM ) are provided for students.

We would be delighted to answer any queries and, if you wish, we can arrange a meeting to fully explain our services and discuss
what FSM can do for you.
If you would like to get in touch, simply email us or call 07747 828445.

FSM - Environmental Health Consultants
Tel: 07747 828445
Fax : 08707621342
Email: info@foodsafetymatters.co.uk