Waikato District Council environmental health officers have around 240 premises to either inspect or audit, depending which system operators are registered under. These range from dairies, takeaways, cafes, restaurants, market stalls, mobile shops, some work canteens through to manufacturing businesses.
Bi-annual inspections
Most food premises receive two inspections per year (usually unannounced), although more visits may be necessary if the officer has concerns about the way the business is being operated and an additional fee may be charged. The lower risk type business has one inspection per year for example, premises that only sell pre-packed foods.
Questions
During the inspection the officer will ask the operator questions about their operation, such as staff training, stock rotation, cleaning methods, temperature control etc. They may be asked to produce items such as invoices showing when the grease trap was last cleaned, or who supplied the meat.
Non-compliance
Environmental health officers have a variety of powers such as seizing or detaining any article believed to contravene food law, the closure of a food premises until it complies with the requirements of the law and in worst cases, prosecution.