Audit Reports: Wales

Audits of local authorities' food law enforcement services are part of the Food Standards Agency's arrangements to improve consumer protection and confidence in relation to food.

These arrangements recognise that the enforcement of UK food law relating to food safety, hygiene, composition, labelling, imported food and feeding stuffs is largely the responsibility of the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Services of local authorities.

Audit reports examine the local authority's Food Law Enforcement Service.

The assessment includes the local arrangements in place for inspections of food businesses and foodstuffs, sampling and analysis, internal management, food safety promotion and educational activities.

It should be acknowledged that there will be considerable diversity in the way and manner in which local authorities may provide their food enforcement services reflecting local needs and priorities.

Food Standards Agency audits assess local authorities' conformance against the Food Law Enforcement Standard 'The Standard', which was published by the Agency in 2001 as part of the Framework Agreement on Local Authority Food Law Enforcement.

The Agency publishes audit reports, together with an action plan, prepared by the Authority, to address the audit findings.