Welcome to The Food Law Code: A Deep Dive for EHOs, the essential podcast for Environmental Health Officers in England. This podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the complex landscape of food safety legislation, providing practical guidance, expert analysis, and up-to-date information to support your critical work in protecting public health.

Each episode delves into different aspects of the Food Law Code of Practice, the Food Safety Act 1990, the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, and related legislation, offering a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks that underpin your role. We explore key concepts such as hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), official food controls, risk assessment, and enforcement strategies, ensuring you are fully equipped to carry out your duties effectively.

Here's what you can expect from The Food Law Code: A Deep Dive for EHOs:

In-depth analysis of the Food Law Code of Practice and relevant legislation, breaking down complex legal language into clear, actionable information. We’ll look at primary production, food processing, and retail, making sure you are knowledgeable on all areas of the food chain.
Practical guidance on conducting food safety inspections and audits, including how to identify and assess risks and non-compliances. We will address intervention ratings, alternative enforcement strategies, and how to use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) to improve compliance.
Expert insights on enforcement actions, such as issuing improvement notices, remedial action notices, and understanding the legal implications of these measures. We will cover prohibition orders and discuss how to manage situations where there is a risk of contamination or imminent harm to health.
Detailed discussions on sampling procedures, traceability, and handling food alerts and incidents. Learn how to effectively respond to food hazards, including localised hazards, and understand your responsibilities in communicating risks.
Practical advice on managing food complaints, outbreaks, and food crime. We’ll cover intelligence sharing with other agencies and how to liaise with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Exploration of the precautionary principle and its application in food safety management, ensuring you understand how to respond to potential threats where there is scientific uncertainty.
Guidance on maintaining professional competence, with insights into Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and training programmes for EHOs. We will explore the Competency Framework and the qualifications needed for authorised officers.
We'll address specific topics such as the handling of live bivalve molluscs, the implications of trans-border matters, and the import and export of food.
Regular updates on changes to food standards, national enforcement priorities (NEPs), and other relevant guidance.

Who is this podcast for?

This podcast is specifically designed for Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) working in local authorities across England. It's also a valuable resource for:

Trainee EHOs and those new to food safety.
Food safety consultants and advisors.
Legal professionals working in food law.
Anyone with a professional interest in food safety in the UK.