Not enough food hygiene inspections are being carried out on the Isle of Wight.
It has been revealed that 247 food serving, making or selling premises are currently uninspected on the Island.
Picked up by internal auditor
The issue has been highlighted by the internal auditor of the Isle of Wight council, who said the authority is not fully meeting the requirements of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) regarding the frequency of inspecting food establishments.
The FSA has, however, said it is assured by the council’s service and its plans to carry on.
The food safety body specifies how long there should be between inspections — ranging from six months to every three years — based on their risk rating.
Not complying across all categories
In a report to the audit and governance committee yesterday (Monday), auditors said while the council is complying with requirements for ‘high-risk’ premises, it was not in other categories and has not inspected all of the properties it was due to.
Speaking at the committee’s meeting yesterday, Elizabeth Goodwin, the council’s chief internal auditor, said the FSA was ‘pretty comfortable’ with the council’s approach, prioritising the high-risk places.
Churchman: Seriously concerned about the backlog
Councillor Vanessa Churchman said she was seriously concerned about the backlog situation, as the Island has an economy made from tourism and the negative publicity of a food poisoning story would not be favourable.
A robust action plan in place
There is a robust action plan in place to rectify it moving forward, Ms Goodwin said, but like other areas, there was a struggle to appoint qualified officers.
In the audit report, it is said the FSA was assured by the comprehensive service plan in place to distribute resources effectively.
Peace: Understand the pressures
Councillor Gary Peace said it was an item of concern when he was in the previous Conservative cabinet so he understood the pressures, but would like to know whether the action plans are progressing.
Lucioni: Team was affected by multiple factors
Current cabinet member in charge, Councillor Karen Lucioni said the team was affected by multiple factors, including the Covid pandemic — when people and money into the service were diverted away from it — but there are now more officers in training to help catch up with the lower-rated categories.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
