The Food Control service provides advice and guidance to the general public and food businesses on producing safe food. Food Control is concerned with enforcing relevant legislation relating to food safety in accordance with codes of practice, advice from central government and the enforcement policy statement.  Details of how this service is provided is contained within the Food Service Plan. The following information provides some useful information for both members of the public and local businesses.

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
Banbridge District Council has signed up to the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) national scheme. Run in partnership with the FSA, the food hygiene rating scheme (FHRS) replaces all the different schemes currently being used across the UK and provide consumers with a single, easy to understand scheme.

Useful Links

Banbridge Business' Food Hygiene Ratings

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme FAQ's for the public and business

Information on Safeguards for business

Request an appeal application form

Right to reply application form

Revisit request application form

Scheme disclaimer
The food hygiene rating scheme is not an endorsement of current standards but merely reflects the score we awarded a premises at the time of their inspection. Nevertheless, we try very hard to make sure the information available on these pages is correct. The food hygiene rating scheme adheres to the FSA’s brand standard.

Following an inspection it may take up to 28 days for the new rating to appear on our website

Food Premises Registration
All food premises offering food for sale are required by law to register with the Council's Environmental Health Department. The application for registration must be made in writing at least 28 days before opening. An application form to register your food business is available here to download.

Safe Catering
Safe Catering is FSA Northern Ireland's food safety management guide. It has been developed with help and expertise from the food industry and local authorities. This guide will help catering businesses to produce a food safety management plan based on HACCP principles and to keep records appropriate to their business.

For further advice click here 

Additional record forms can be downloaded here

Food Hygiene Inspections
Under food safety legislation officers have a right to enter and inspect food premises at all reasonable hours. They do not have to make an appointment and will usually come without advance notice. Officers have the power to take samples, photographs and inspect records. On a visit to premises the environmental health officer will explain why the inspection is being made i.e. whether it is following a complaint or is simply a routine inspection. During a visit an officer will look at the condition and fabric of all the food rooms, monitor temperature of food on display or being stored and may take food samples for further analysis. Examination of any documents relating to your food business including temperature records, hazard analysis, cleaning schedules, pest control and staff training are routine tasks that an officer may carry out. Download a copy of Food Hygiene - A Guide for Businesses.

Frequency of Inspection
The potential for producing unfit/unsafe food increases depending upon the type of food produced, the processing method used and the attitude, experience and qualifications of the business management. A standard risk assessment form is used to determine the frequency of inspections.

After the Inspection
Contraventions of food legislation will be brought to the attention of the owner both at the time of the inspection and in writing. Contraventions will be addressed in accordance with the Department's enforcment policy.

Food Hygiene Training
Well trained staff is an important aspect in producing food that is safe. The Catering/Retail Industry guide to Good Hygiene Practice suggests that staff that prepare open high risk foods or handle and have a supervisory role must have training to a level equivalent to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Basic Food Hygiene Certificate within 3 months of starting to work e.g. CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene and RSPH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene. Contact the Department for up-to-date information on training providers.

Consumer Complaints
The Food Control service deals with all types of food related complaints. Many problems are resolved by simply providing advice to the proprietor of a food business or a manufacturer. In certain circumstances formal action may be necessary to achieve compliance with legislation. If you want to make a complaint about food you have purchased, or if you are unhappy about the premises from which you have bought food please let us know.

Food Sampling
Each year, a comprehensive food sampling programme is carried out to check that food and drink sold in the District is safe to eat and is of a quality consumers expect. The sampling programme incorporates all food premises and is also carried out as a result of local, regional and national surveys.

Food Information Leaflets
A number of food information leaflets are available from the Environmental Health Department.