Monday 13 May 2024
Raw Pet Food
Some dog and cat owners appear to increasingly favour the feeding of raw pet food as they consider it a more natural product. Raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli. Whilst raw pet foods are not consumed by the public, there have been cases of food poisoning linked to raw pet food where the storage and handling of them have caused cross contamination of foods and surfaces within domestic kitchens. We do have quite a number of food businesses, registered with us, that run their business from domestic premises.
Top tips:
- Wash hands with soap and hot water immediately after handling and preparing any raw pet food or treats.
- Pet food and treats should be stored and defrosted away from where human food is stored and prepared in a dedicated container.
Clean and disinfect all surfaces that the raw pet food touched, such as microwaves, work surfaces, storage containers and utensils like knives, forks and bowls.
Scam Warning to Torbay Food Businesses
Please be aware we have received concerns from local businesses, who have been cold called by companies advising they are somehow linked to Torbay Council Food Safety Team, telling them they require another inspection because they have a low food hygiene rating.
These companies are targeting businesses with low ratings, all the information they have to hand is that that is publicly available on the FSA Food Hygiene Ratings website.
We do not work with 3rd party companies to carry out inspections, rescoring visits, revisits etc. and we do not share information with these companies. Inspections, revisits, rescoring visits, paid advice visits etc. are undertaken by employees of Torbay Council who will show you their identification badge on arrival.
If in doubt, please do contact us directly.
Cheese Sampling Survey
The Food & Safety Team are actively participating in a survey of unpasteurised and pasteurised milk cheese for retail sale. This is to determine their microbiological safety, with particular emphasis on Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Listeria. It is a nationwide study organised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and sampling will be carried out from April 2024 to March 2025.
Samples will be collected, by a Food Safety Officer, from a range of premises across the Bay. The samples may be taken as part of a programmed, unannounced food hygiene inspection or during a visit solely for the purpose of sampling.
The results of the sampling programme will be provided to the food business operator and also fed back to UKHSA. We will let you know the outcome of the survey in due course.
Pests, don’t let them give you the run around.
In our roles as Environmental Health Officers, we come across all manner of pest activity within food businesses – ants, flying insects, birds, weevils, mice, rats and cockroaches. Pests carry harmful bacteria that can be transferred to food and hand contact surfaces as well as directly onto food. A pest infestation can be a reason for us to formally close a food business.
All businesses, as part of their daily checks, should be making sure that there aren’t signs of pest activity in and around the premises e.g. droppings, gnawed packaging, nests.
- Ensure any external gaps and holes to the building and doors are filled.
- Check deliveries for signs of pest activity and do not accept the delivery if there are.
- Keep external areas tidy and free from weeds as this can provide food and shelter for pests.
- Remove foliage, that has grown into external sheds and outbuildings or up to windows, as this provides pests with a route in.
- Keep lids shut tight on external bins.
- Don’t ignore signs of pest activity, in our experience this can result in the pest activity becoming progressively worse. We will pick up pest issues on a routine inspection and we also find out from staff, contractor or customer complaints. It can become very costly if you have to employ a pest control contractor to get a pest problem under control.
Recycling, are you ahead of the curve?
Here at SWISCo, we can help support your business to reduce, and recycle, food waste!
In the UK, sadly, a large percentage food waste gets placed into general waste bins. This is currently costing the food and hospitality industry £3.2 billion a year. Staggeringly, 75% of the food waste that is thrown away, could have been eaten.
The first, and most important, thing to consider is reducing the amount of food waste to begin with. Guardians of Grub provide lots of helpful information: Rise up against food waste • Guardians of Grub
As a food business you will inevitably have food waste that you need to dispose of - have you ever considered a food waste collection? SWISCo offer this service for a little as £9.34+ Vat, Per Collection.
You may also find that by recycling your food waste, you are able to save money on your general waste collections, either by moving to a smaller bin or reducing the frequency of these collections.
In April 2025, new legislation is being introduced that states all businesses will have to recycle, including food waste.
We understand that this may be a big and daunting change for our local businesses, so SWISCo are here to support you in making these changes, ahead of the deadline.
If you would like any further information, please contact the Business Waste Team
- Tel: 01803 701310 (opt.2)
- Website: Work we do - Swisco
- Email: commercial.waste@swisco.co.uk
Public Spaces Protection Orders
Two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are now in place throughout Torbay.
There is a revised alcohol one covering Torquay, Paignton and Brixham and a new dispersal one covering Torquay town centre.
Amendments to the alcohol PSPOs now prohibit the consumption of alcohol in defined public spaces.
This means that if someone is seen drinking alcohol in the defined zones within Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, then an authorised officer or the police can inform them of the PSPO and ask them to stop drinking. Previously alcohol would only be removed if it was linked to nuisance or disorder.
We’ve also introduced a new dispersal order PSPO for Torquay town centre which includes powers for the police and authorised officers to direct any individuals causing nuisance or disorder out from the dispersal zone and not to return for up to 24 hours or face enforcement.
People who fail to comply with the PSPOs could face prosecution and maximum penalties of £1,000.
These PSPOs are just one tool we and our police partners can use to combat anti-social behaviour.
They form part of Operation Town Centres, our wider plan to make our town centres safe for all who live, work and visit them.
Free training for those working in night-time economy
Do you work in Paignton as a member of door or security staff, a taxi or street marshall, an event steward, street pastor or CCTV operator?
If so, you may be interested in a day-long training course taking place as part of Devon and Cornwall Police’s Project Vigilant and our Safer Streets scheme, which are both aimed at preventing sexual violence in the night-time economy and keeping women and girls safe.
There are two free sessions taking place on 20 and 21 May (you only need to sign up for one).
Contact us
If you need business support, advice or guidance please get in touch.