Renfrewshire Council’s food safety enforcement service has been given the thumbs-up in a report by independent auditors.

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The report follows an audit carried out in September 2015 by Food Standards Scotland, the organisation that ensures that food safety laws are properly enforced across the country.

It shows that Renfrewshire Council’s Business Regulation team met the requirements for inspection of food premises; providing advice and guidance to food businesses; investigating complaints from the public and checking that businesses have proper food safety management systems.

The report also highlighted the council’s internal monitoring systems as being particularly comprehensive and thorough. This was noted as an example of best practice in food safety enforcement.

The council’s Business Regulation service is responsible for food enforcement in 1,500 businesses across Renfrewshire including key employers such as Chivas, Diageo, Braehead and Glasgow Airport.

The work of the service also includes checking food composition, labelling and nutrition; health promotion; and prevention of food fraud. The service also work closely with Police Scotland, Border Force, and export businesses at Glasgow Airport to ensure that any food entering or leaving the country meets required standards.

Councillor Eddie Devine, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment Policy Board, said:

“This report is welcome recognition of the importance that Renfrewshire Council places on ensuring local food businesses are meeting high standards of food safety.

“The council’s role in checking and advising on food standards is essential to public confidence when they go out to eat and drink in our town centre restaurants, pubs and take-aways.

“Knowing that these businesses are maintaining high standards plays an important part in the continued development of Renfrewshire’s economy and the vibrancy of our town centres.

“This report underlines the council’s commitment to high standards of food safety throughout Renfrewshire.”

The audit report can be viewed on Renfrewshire Council’s website, www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

Information on how food businesses in Renfrewshire scored in the Food Hygiene Information scheme can also be found on the website.