Local authority audits published

Wednesday 7 December 2005

The Agency's local authority audit report for Caerphilly is now available online.

The publication of this report brings to conclusion the current audit programme, as FSA Wales has now completed full audits for all 22 local authorities in Wales.

The Agency carries out audits of local authorities as part of its work to maintain and improve consumer protection and confidence by ensuring that local authorities are providing an effective food law enforcement service.

When the FSA conducts its audits, a feedback session is built into the process. This means that local authorities are able to take any immediate action necessary to address issues that have been raised, as a result of the audit, without waiting for the formal report. FSA Wales then follows up on progress in relation to the recommendations in the audit reports. Furthermore, before publication, each local authority has received the report in draft form and has given comments to the Agency on its findings.

At the request of FSA Wales it has been agreed that the audit report on Caerphilly, should be progressed without an action plan to enable publication at this time. The Agency will still follow up on the progress of the local authority in the same way as those whose report included an action plan.

The FSA has announced that it is to review its local authority audit process. While the process has been constantly monitored, the end of this first programme of audits of Welsh authorities has offered an opportunity to look at the process in more detail. Any proposed changes will be subject to discussion.

It is important to point out that there are two distinct forms of inspections by local authorities of food businesses – first, food standards and secondly, food hygiene inspections. Both types of inspections form part of the full audits, alongside other aspects of enforcement work.

Food standards relate to the legal requirements covering the composition, labelling, presentation and advertising of food and materials in contact with food. Food hygiene would not be assessed during a food standards inspection.

Food hygiene relates to the legal requirements covering the safety and wholesomeness of the food.

The qualifications needed to carry out these inspections are also distinct.