Food hygiene pre-inspection audit for new and existing business
All businesses registered with the local authority are subject to a food hygiene inspection, after which they will receive a food hygiene rating score (FHRS) based on the findings of an environmental health officer on the day they visit.
If you have a food business in Salford, our Business Compliance Service offers a food hygiene pre-inspection audit, which gives you the opportunity to receive advice and guidance from an environmental health officer on what you need to do to give yourself the best chance of achieving a high food hygiene rating before your routine food hygiene inspection.
Why might a food hygiene pre-inspection audit be good for your business?
- Food Standards Agency (FSA) research has shown that customers are becoming more aware of the food hygiene rating scheme and are actively looking for hygiene rating stickers when they're out and about!
- An increasing number of food businesses are displaying their hygiene rating stickers and more than a third of them say that they have a positive impact. A better rating means more customers!
- The vast majority of our customers feel it's important to have a better rating/result than their competitors.
- In a recent FSA Public Attitudes survey, 83% of respondents in England reported having seen a rating sticker on display in the last 12 months.
- Some online platforms will not list food businesses on their platform if they do not have a satisfactory rating, meaning your business might miss out on customers if you’re not up to scratch!
- In the future, it may become mandatory to display your rating as it currently is in Wales and Northern Ireland – even more reason to get ahead of the game and get it right first time!
What is included in the food hygiene pre-inspection audit?
The food hygiene pre-inspection audit includes:
- An Environmental Health Officer will arrange to meet you at your business to discuss food safety requirements and carry out a review of your food safety documentation, for example Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) before your routine inspection.
- An environmental health officer will discuss with you during the food hygiene pre-inspection audit, the legal requirements and advisory matters that require your attention before your full registration inspection.
- The Environmental Health Officer will subsequently provide you a detailed Food Hygiene Pre-inspection report, listing all the requirements that require your attention before your full registration inspection takes place.
- You will be provided with a complete Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) pack and a supply of diary sheets.
- You will be provided with temperature monitoring sheets that you can use, amend and copy.
- We will signpost you to other sources of information, agencies or council departments as appropriate.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
The food hygiene pre-inspection audits are charged at £150 (including VAT) for small and medium sized enterprises (less than 250 employees) comprising of a two-hour visit and report to be issued afterwards. The food hygiene pre-inspection audits for larger business (over 250 employees), premises will be charged at £300 (including VAT) comprising or a four-hour visit and report.
If you would like to request a food hygiene pre-inspection audit contact environmentalhealth@salford.gov.uk.
Payment for food hygiene pre-inspection audits can also be taken over the phone via the council’s secure payment system. Where additional charges apply, an estimate of the costs will be provided, and further payments may be taken over the phone via the council’s secure payment system or through an invoice issued (as agreed between the council and the business) and must be paid prior to any visit by an environmental health officer.
Specialist advice and support on technical or complex food safety issues
If you require specialist food safety advice of a more technical nature, for example the assessment of HACCP records and procedures, the implementation of a specific food process, review of allergen management system or would like food labels reviewing against legislative requirements, it may be more appropriate to seek advice on an hourly rate basis.
If you would like to take up this service, please email environmentalhealth@salford.gov.uk with your details and an officer will contact you back to discuss your requirements.
This service is offered at a rate of £81 per hour (plus VAT), however it may be more appropriate for you to consider entering a Primary Authority partnership.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Our specialist advice service is provided at a rate of £81 per hour (plus VAT). On receipt of a request from a business, Salford City Council will provide an estimate of the charge for the requested advice. In the event that the fulfilment of the request takes less time than the estimate, the business will be charged for the lower amount. No advice will be provided until the business has agreed to the estimate and signed and accepted the terms and conditions.
The business agrees to pay any charges for officer time incurred in providing the specialist advice within 28-days. Payments may be taken over the phone via the council’s secure payment system or through an invoice issued (as agreed between the council and the business).
The council reserves the right to charge the business additional sums if, due to circumstances reasonably unforeseen by the council, additional advice is necessary. In the event that this occurs, the council shall agree these extra charges with the business in advance, before the additional advice is provided.
Free signposting advice and support
If you have a food hygiene related question that is relatively easy to answer, ie an environmental health officer would not have to research and come back to you, we can provide you with advice free of charge, as well as some free signposting (where applicable). Examples of these questions are:
- Is a cleaning product suitable for my business?
- What temperature should my fridge be set?
- Do I need to go on a food hygiene course?
- Do I need to tile my walls?
If your query fits this criteria, please complete the form here:
Free advice request form