Enforcing the Law in Business Premises

Authorised officers of Torfaen County Borough Council have a right to enter and inspect most food businesses and workplaces “at any reasonable time”, so that we can ensure that the premises in question are complying with food hygiene and health and safety legislation.

Unless we think there is a serious problem that may result in serious illness or injury, we will generally:

• Inspect at a time that is convenient for the business concerned (this also makes it easier for us to carry out our inspection)
• Introduce ourselves, and make sure there is someone around who is able to speak to us on behalf of the company and give us the information we need.
• Take someone from the business around with us during the inspection so that we can show them what we find and discuss any work that needs to be done
• Inform the proprietor of the business in writing of any contravention’s found, what action they are required to take and the time-scale for this work. We will also make recommendations if we see anything that would help to improve the way their business complies with the law.

We have a range of options available in order to ensure businesses comply with the law. We generally give verbal advice and then confirm this by letter, but we can serve notices, close premises or prosecute if there is a serious problem.

For further information about how we enforce food hygiene and health and safety legislation, please see our Food and Safety Enforcement leaflet|.