Scores on the doors – are delays leading to a crisis?

Posted on | by Kevan

hygiene rating crisisIn the news this week:

A BBC investigation has found that consumers are being exposed to an increased risk of food poisoning because of delays in food hygiene inspections.

Analysis shows one in five restaurants and takeaways had not been seen by food inspectors for more than two years.

Environmental health teams say a recruitment crisis and a backlog from the pandemic are behind the trend.

The public services union Unison said it was a “serious public health issue”.

A spokesman said: “Inspections are now so delayed that it’s perfectly possible for food businesses with shoddy hygiene practices to operate with little fear of ever being caught.”

The BBC’s findings come amid heightened food safety concerns following an E-coli outbreak in June linked to contaminated products.

Hospitality UK, which represents food and drink businesses, said three quarters of eateries gained the top hygiene rating score on their latest inspection.

“Despite the pressures the sector has faced in recent years, the safety of our customers remains non-negotiable,” a spokesman said.

HSQC offer support to food business operators in developing food safety management systems, offering hygiene training and auditing practices.  Contact us if you need any support with any of the above: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article here: 30 July 2024

Net Zero by 2050

Posted on | by Kevan

net zero by 2050In the news this week:

HSQC is publicly committed to achieving Net Zero carbon neutrality by 2050. As an environmentally conscious business we are working towards the following targets:

  • Using ULEZ compliant vehicles, with the ambition of being electric-only by 2030.
  • Using public transport for travel where practicable.
  • Maintaining Working From Home when possible.
  • Moving towards paperless communication.
  • Using non-toxic baits for pest control where achievable.
  • Promoting the use of low energy lights in electronic fly killers.
  • Continuing the responsible  disposal of waste

We have an ongoing partnership with Fare Share, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste. Together, we save good food from going to waste and redistribute it to frontline charities.

HSQC offer support to food business operators in developing food safety management systems, offering hygiene training and auditing practices.  Contact us if you need any support with any of the above or to discuss our Net Zero commitments: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

World Food Safety Day 2024

Posted on | by Kevan

food safety hazardsIn the news this week:

Friday 7 June is World Food Safety Day 2024.

  • One in ten people worldwide fall ill from consuming contaminated food each year.
  • Over 200 diseases are caused by eating contaminated food.
  • 40% of the foodborne disease burden is carried by children under 5.

Governments, food business operators and consumers are called to action to tackle these areas.

As a food operator you must update your food safety management system, follow good hygiene practices and regularly train your staff.

As a consumer you must follow safe food handling practices in the home, report poor standards and labelling if you see these whilst out in the community.

World Food Safety Day 7 June 2024HSQC offer support to food business operators in developing food safety management systems, offering hygiene training and auditing practices at a location.  Contact us if you need any support with challenges arising from the article: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from World Health Organisation here (07.06.24)

Launch Your Career in Environmental Health & Hygiene!

Posted on | by Kevan

Are you a graduate or someone with a passion for health and safety? HSQC is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our growing Health & Safety Team.

We are seeking graduates and suitably qualified individuals to join us as a student Environmental Hygiene Technician.

You will be enrolled on our 2 year work experience training programme. You will work alongside our Pest Management Team and Safety Officers gaining first hand practical and theoretical experience.

Here’s what you’ll get:

  • A two-year work experience training program as a trainee Student Technician.
  • Work alongside our experienced Pest Management Team and Safety Officers.
  • Gain valuable hands-on experience through real-world audits.
  • Develop a strong foundation in hygiene, health and safety theory and practices.

This is your chance to:

  • Launch your career in a dynamic and rewarding field.
  • Make a real difference in the safety and well-being of others.
  • Learn from industry experts and gain practical skills.

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Is a recent graduate or has relevant qualifications.
  • Has a strong interest in hygiene, health and safety.
  • Is a team player with a positive attitude.
  • Is eager to learn and grow their skillset.

Just some of the skills and duties you’ll be involved in include:

  • Conducting environmental inspections of public and private facilities to identify and assess potential environmental health hazards.
  • Enforcing environmental regulations related to environmental hygiene, health and safety.
  • Investigating environmental health complaints such as food-borne illnesses, air quality concerns and water contamination.
  • Providing technical assistance to individuals and organisations regarding environmental health regulations and best practices.
  • Evaluating food safety practices in restaurants, stores and other food establishments to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
  • Managing environmental data such as inspection reports and environmental sampling results, to track trends and identify areas of concern.
  • Developing and implementing environmental health programmes.

Ready to take the next step? For details and to express an interest, email with your CV: [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Staffing issues due to stress?

Posted on | by Kevan

In the news this week:

April is stress awareness month.  The Health and Safety Executive has launched a campaign to tackle stress in the workplace. Read through the five steps in the full article below to see if your business is complying.

Mental health is costing the UK economy a lot of money with staff being off work.

If you need any support with stress at work HSQC can assist with this vital topic, just email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from HSE here (02.04.22)

Unexpected visitor to A&E

Posted on | by Kevan

Pest control for hospitalsIn the news this week:

Rats and cockroaches have been identified inside English hospitals.

Do you have pests in your hospital setting? There are many potential hygiene issues.  What happens if these pests enter kitchen or food preparation areas of the hospital?

For support with cost effective solutions to deal with your infestation, email us at: [email protected]
HSQC can help to prevent pests entering your buildings and assist you in developing a pest management strategy for the hospital trust.

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from The Guardian here (09.04.24)

Hazard spotting becomes habit forming!

Posted on | by Kevan

A recent hotel stay for one of our consultants!

What are the potential health and safety hazards which come to mind? Which controls could be in place to negate the hazard? Has your hotel business got the correct documentation in place regarding windows?

If you need advice regarding the safety systems within your workplace, email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

 

  • Possible hazards include:
  • Staff and customers falling out of the window
  • Fall from height
  • Contractor safety
  • Lack of training or risk assessment
  • Controls include:
  • Fitting adequate window restrictors
  • Staff and management checks on a regular basis to ensure restrictors are in place, in good repair and working correctly

The UK Health & Safety Executive says:
“Windows that are large enough to allow people to fall out should be restrained sufficiently to prevent such falls. The opening should be restricted to 100mm or less. Window restrictors should only be able to be disengaged using a special tool or key.”

Did you spot them all?

electric fly killer best usage

Insectocutor queries

Posted on | by Kevan

insectocutor fly killerRegular queries come up during audit visits relating to the proper usage of electric flying insect killers.

Do they work?
Where should they be placed?
How often should they be cleaned?
Should they be kept on at all times, even through a cost of living crisis?
What is the best way to prevent flying insects from entering food premises?

If you need any pest control advice regarding the systems within your workplace, email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

 

 

 

  • The short answers:
  • An insectocutor does help with the prevention of flying pests in food premises. It is normally a requirement of a food safety management system to provide one as pro-active pest control.
  • They are best placed in a dark area so the Ultra Violet light attracts flying insects. They should NOT go above a work surface, this could end up with flying insects in food items meaning foreign body contamination.
  • The unit in the larger picture clearly shows dead flies inside it. This now needs cleaning. For the UV bulbs to be continuously working it is vital to liaise with your pest control contractor regarding the cleaning and maintenance of the bulbs.
  • Yes, the unit must be kept on at all times to attract flying insects into the UV light. Always use compatible UV bulbs. We have seen units where the UV bulbs have been replaced with normal light bulbs! These will not attract flying insects.
  • The best way to prevent flying insects entering food premises is having screens on all openable windows and doors.

Did you get them all?

Can you believe it’s not…?

Posted on | by Kevan

In the news this week:

There is an ongoing discussion about food labelling in the UK: when is it misleading, and are new proposals draconian? Are you confident about the correct labelling of milk, cheese and dairy products in your business?

HSQC can support your operation and offer advice on appropriate food labelling, just email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from The Guardian online here (24.02.24)