Press Release
HACCP exemption for small businesses undermines food safety, says CIEH
19 February 2008
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and a coalition of stakeholders have written to the European Commission criticising proposals that would see small business exempt from the requirements of HACCP food safety management systems.
MEP Horst Schnellhardt (German centre right) has suggested a compromise amendment allowing a business employing less than ten people to be exempt from keeping HACCP records provided this was approved at a local level by the competent authority.
But the CIEH, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and other stakeholders are opposed to such an exemption arguing that it is often businesses with fewer than ten people which are responsible for food poisoning outbreaks and that size of business is no indication of risk.
CIEH Principal Policy Officer Jenny Morris said:
"We believe that if implemented the amendment would in fact weaken existing rules on food safety and increase the difficulties faced by the competent authority and its officers.
"If implemented the amendment would undermine the very successful work carried out to maintain and improve food safety standards in small businesses."
The CIEH and stakeholders also say that the amendment is technically flawed because in the UK alone there are 400,000 micro food premises and it would be difficult to inspect each one every 12 months as would be required under the proposed amendment.
The European Commission originally proposed an exemption amendment for small businesses as part of an initiative to cut red tape.
The European Parliament set a deadline for written amendments for 14 February with a view to further discussion in March.
The oral amendment put by Schnellhardt says that food businesses may be exempt if the competent authority considers on the basis of company related risk assessment that either there are no hazards that must be prevented, eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels or that the identified hazards are reduced to sufficiently controlled levels. The exemption would be for a limited period, no exceeding 12 months.
The joint letter has been sent by the CIEH, the consumer group Which? The BRC, the FDF, National Farmers Union, British Hospitality Association, Chilled Food Association, Provision trade Association, Dairy UK, Genesis Food Solutions, Institute for Science and Technology, Food Aware and the British Retail Consortium.
Latest Press Releases
- Delay decision on Scores on the Doors CIEH tells the FSA
- CIEH lobbies Minister to prevent Planning Bill blunder
- Pest problem to worsen without clear action
- Painter fined for smoking in van admitted he broke the law
- CIEH gives muted welcome over Defra contaminated land conclusions
- Condition of private housing stock a national disgrace says CIEH
- Rapid spread of Lyme disease threatens public health
- Why emerging public health problems from pests need to be addressed
- Government measures to tackle fuel poverty “a short-term fix”, says CIEH
- Sunbed restrictions disappointing says CIEH
Spread your message to an audience that counts, with options available for our website, email bulletins and publications including The House Magazine.
