Environmental Health Officers at Great Yarmouth Borough Council protect the public from the risk of buying contaminated food by regularly visiting and inspecting over 1,700 food businesses in the Borough, ranging from take away vans to large supermarkets.

Environmental Health are concerned with the fitness of food, its quality and the food labelling. If you see anything that gives you cause for concern please phone the Environmental Health Department hotline on 01493 846478.

Inspection and Advice

During any one year we will visit about 60% of the food businesses in Great Yarmouth to advise them on:

1. Any changes in food safety regulations
2. The best ways to make sure all regulations are observed
3. Other ways to maintain high standards of health and hygiene

If we find any business that falls short of the required standard we will set out in writing what needs to be done. We will then make sure the appropriate steps are taken.

Awards

Environmental Health currently run a Star Award Scheme for all food businesses in the Borough.  As a result of an inpsection, a premise can be awarded between 0 - 5 stars, 5 stars being excellent.  These star awards relate directly to the hygiene standards found during a routine inspection by Environmental Health.  For more information please click on the Food Safety Awards section in the Environment pages.

Complaints

We always investigate valid complaints. If you as a customer find a business is falling below the appropriate standard, we want to know about it.

Please tell us so we we can follow it up on your behalf. Call the Environmental Health hotline on 01493 846478.

Food Complaints

What do you do if you find an unexpected ingredient in some food you have bought? A piece of glass, a piece of plastic, mould, or maybe you think the food you have bought has made you ill?

If you want us to investigate the matter you need to bring us the food, the foreign object and any packaging and receipt you have to the Environmental Health reception at Maltings House as soon as possible. If you can't get to us straight away or the offices are closed, please freeze the food and bring it as soon as you can. If you have dificulty in getting to our offices an officer will come and collect it from you during office hours. In this case and for any further advice please phone the Environmental Health hotline on 01493 846478

Random Checks

We arrange random sampling of food and drinks for analysis by the Public Analyst. We also check the use by and sell by dates on food labelling to make sure regulations are being complied with.

Food Safety Training Courses

Great Yarmouth Borough Council run both Level 2 and Refresher Courses during the course of the year.  Please see below for remaining dates in 2008:-

Level 2

Day Course - 10 December - only 3 candidates at present - likely to be cancelled (as at 27/11/08)

Refresher

Evening Course - 2 December - only 2 candidates at present - likely to be cancelled (as at 27/11/08)

Please contact Ros Astle on 01493 846407 or rae@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.  Alternatively you may like to print the attached booking form.  booking_form.doc

Contact

If you want more information or are thinking of opening a food business, please contact the Environmental Health hotline on 01493 846478 or email: health@great-yarmouth.gov.uk