Product and supplier checks

Importers should use suppliers who are honest and reliable, and need to know their names and addresses and other relevant contact details. If after import, importers feel any food is not safe they must report it to the Environmental Health Department of their local authority, and not sell it. To locate the contact details of the appropriate local authority, importers can use our online search facility by entering the postcode of their business.

Most products of animal origin from outside the European Union (EU) require certification of the product and must come from an approved establishment in an approved country. Lists of EU approved establishments establishments in non-EU countries that supply animal products can be found below.

Public Analysts, who are skilled scientists, are available to test that food samples comply with food safety requirements by undertaking chemical analysis and/or by arranging for microbiological examination, although there is no legal requirement for importers to do so. See a list of Official Food Control Laboratories in the UK. In addition, there are a number of other laboratories in the UK and abroad which would undertake the work that importers may require. The importer could then arrange for the analysis report to form the basis of their quality controls for their supplier.

Remember, where importers are asked to take any action by the authorities importers must do what they ask.