North Tyneside businesses are good with food

Most food businesses in North Tyneside are operating within the law.

There are more than 1,500 food businesses in the borough and North Tyneside Council’s latest Food Law Plan reveals that 92 per cent of them were ‘broadly compliant’ with food safety legislation during inspections in 2017/18.

The Food Law Plan sets out how food safety and standards are monitored and controlled in North Tyneside. It also explains out how the food safety team contributes to the broader health improvement agenda through the promotion of healthy eating.

The plan was developed by the food safety service, which is delivered for the local authority by its partner Capita.

Cllr Carole Burdis, Cabinet member for community safety and engagement, said: “Our food safety team plays a vital role in protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents.

“Enforcement and inspections is just one aspect of their work – they also offer advice and support to food businesses to ensure they are aware of their legal requirements.”

Food safety team activity in 2017/18 included:

  • 768 food samples sent for microbiological examination
  • 466 warning letters sent to businesses for a range of food safety and standards issues
  • 119 businesses provided support, around 80 per cent of them were at the set-up stage