Food safety and hygiene information
If you have a food safety concern, you should speak with the business or manufacturer first to resolve the issue.
We will only investigate complaints where there is a high public health risk.
This includes certain infectious diseases (for example, E. coli), evidence of pests in food business and complaints where a contaminant in food has caused injury (for example, glass in your food). We will also investigate food poisoning where we have a confirmed laboratory stool sample and there is more than one ill person, or they are in an 'at risk' category (for example, under five or elderly).
We do not investigate claims of food sold after the 'best before' date, as this only means food will be at its best quality up to that date. It's not illegal to sell food after the 'best before'.
If we receive a high risk complaint and there is a home or primary authority relationship with the company, we will pass it onto them to investigate and take action. This may take up to 6 weeks. We cannot carry out an investigation without the food and packaging to examine, so you will need to provide them.
Most complaints we receive are resolved informally after the companies are contacted.
If you want to take further private action, the council will not be able to help. We also cannot help with refunds for food.
More information can be found on Food Standards or GOV.UK.
Report a food safety or hygiene problem
Food registration
Under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, every food business which distributes, sells, stores or prepares food, drinks or confectionery, must register with their local authority.
You should register your food business as soon as possible. Failure to register is an offence and could result in legal proceedings being taken which could result in a fine.
Food hygiene inspections
We carry out regular food safety inspections on all food businesses in Enfield.
The frequency of these inspections is based on a risk assessment, taking into account the:
- type of food and method of handling
- method of processing
- consumers at risk
- level of current compliance
- confidence in management and control systems
- risk of food being contaminated
Premises that pose a higher risk will be inspected more often. Inspections range from every 6 months to every 5 years.
The Food Standards Agency Code of Practice is used for the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, where businesses are rated from 5 to 0. Those rated from 2 to 0 are deemed non-compliant.
Businesses can appeal against the rating or request a re-inspection. It is free to appeal but re-inspection costs £410 per visit. The rating may stay the same.
To request a re-inspection or make an appeal, download the form below and email environmental.health@enfield.gov.uk, with proof of payment.
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme: Request for a re-visit form (DOCX, 83.9 KB).
Re-inspections will be carried out within 3 months of receiving the request, evidence of works done and proof of payment.
You will need to enter the information below when making a payment:
- Payment amount (£) = 410.00
- All information relating to your payment = ES0029 67662
- Description of payment = name of premises and date of inspection
Training courses
Food safety qualifications are required to meet new National Occupational Standards. We offer the following food safety courses, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
Foundation Certificate in Food Safety - Level 2
The CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety is designed to meet the food safety and hygiene needs of the catering, manufacturing and retail sectors. This is a basic training course for all food handlers.
This is a 1-day course which covers:
- legislation
- food safety and hygiene hazards
- temperature control
- refrigeration, chilling and cold holding
- cooking, hot holding and reheating
- food handling
- principles of safe food storage
- cleaning
- food premises and equipment
Course dates
All courses start at 9:30am and finish at 5:30pm, unless stated otherwise.
- Thursday 18 January 2024
- Monday 19 February 2024
- Thursday 21 March 2024 (9am to 5:30pm)
All dates are subject to change. Courses require a minimum of 6 candidates to take place or the session will be cancelled.
Intermediate Certificate in Food Safety - Level 3
The CIEH Intermediate Certificate in Food Safety is for managers or supervisors responsible for developing and maintaining a food safety management system. This course follows on from the Foundation Certificate in Food Safety (Level 2).
This is a 3-day course which covers:
- how to apply and monitor good food safety practice
- how to implement food safety management procedures
- developing your skills and understanding as a supervisor in a food environment
It is recommended that all food environments have at least one person trained to level 3.
Course dates
Course dates will be provided on application.
This course is run subject to demand. For more information, email environmental.healthtraining@enfield.gov.uk.
Safer food, better business workshop
The safer food, better business (SFBB) workshop is for managers or supervisors responsible for maintaining a food safety management system. You must have the food safety level 2 certificate or equivalent to attend this workshop.
This is a one-day course that provides advice and guidance on how to use the SFBB pack.
Course dates
Dates for these courses are yet to be confirmed.
Venue
All courses will be held at:
Enfield Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3XA
Fees and how to apply
You must pay in advance and bring your proof of payment with you to the course.
Fees for courses:
- Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2) - £94.50
- Intermediate Certificate in Food Safety (Level 3) - £428.90
- Safer food, better business (SFBB) workshop - £61.40
(SFBB books available for £16.90)
You will need to enter the information below when making a payment online:
- Payment amount (£) = cost of the course
- All information relating to your payment = ES0029 67662
- Description of payment = course name and date
Pay for a food hygiene training
You must provide proof of payment prior to the course. Email your proof of payment (photo or screenshot of receipt) to environmental.healthtraining@enfield.gov.uk.
Cancellation of booking
There is no refund for cancelling your booking, but you can choose someone else to take your place. You must let us know at least 24 hours before the course starts.
Proof of identification
You must bring proof of identity (for example, passport or full UK driving license) to the course. If you don't bring this, you won't be able to take the exam.
Special requirements
If you have any special requirements, you should let us know in advance so we can meet your needs (for example, oral exams).
If you want to cancel or change your booking, tell us about any special requirements, or have queries about proof of identification, email environmental.healthtraining@enfield.gov.uk.
Free allergen management training for food businesses
On YouTube, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute have produced free online allergen training videos in 13 languages. A food allergen resource, also available in 13 languages, provides staff with a food allergen poster, information about food allergy and intolerance, legal requirements, how to manage allergens and how to be a responsible business. There is also detailed information about the 14 allergens that food businesses must declare as being used as an ingredient in their food.
COVID-19
We understand that you may be looking to change your business model to diversify and provide a delivery service. This advice is to enable you to provide food takeaway delivery if you have never done so before:
- You must already be registered as a food business with your local authority to enable you to provide a delivery service
- You must ensure all food delivered does not become unsafe or unfit to eat. You should review your food safety management systems to ensure you have identified critical safety controls involved in delivering the food.
- Food that needs to be refrigerated or kept cool must be kept below 5°C by use of an insulated box with a coolant gel, or in a cool bag
- Hot food should be kept above 63°C
- You should monitor all your controls. You can use the Safe Food Better Business diary sheets to help. If you wish to use the chilled food and hot temperature exemption you must show how you are monitoring to ensure you are keeping within the time constraints
- We recommend that you keep your delivery distances and time short, limited to within 30 minutes
- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have provided advice for business: How to manage a food business if you sell products online, for takeaway or for delivery
- Allergens: there is a wealth of advice for businesses on allergen management on the FSA website
- Those venues offering takeaway or delivery services must not include alcoholic beverages if they don’t have a license to permit alcoholic sales off the premises
Contact-free delivery
Scientific advice says that it's very unlikely that COVID-19 can be spread through food. However, if you are changing how you are operating then you should think through the hazards and ensure that you have control measures in place.
Consider the following:
- Limiting contact when delivering orders will help keep everyone healthy. You could consider leaving deliveries at the door of your customer, rather than handing it over to them. Knock on the door, step back the safe recommended distance and wait nearby for your customer to collect it. (‘Safe distance’ is continuously amended – ensure you visit the government COVID-19 website for current advice.)
- Take payments over the phone or internet rather than taking cash
Infection control
- You have responsibilities to ensure food handlers are fit for work under the food hygiene regulations. You also have a general duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of persons in your employment and members of the public.
- Relevant staff must be given clear instructions on any infection control policy in place. Anyone affected and employed in a food business, and who is likely to come into contact with food, is to report the illness or symptoms immediately, and if possible their causes, to the food business operator.
- View the current government guidance on COVID-19 for employees and businesses
You can download our COVID-19 in-store poster (PDF, 286.5 KB) to display in your premises.