E.coli Inquiry

Subject: CIEH

In response to Professor Hugh Pennington’s report, The Public Inquiry into the September 2005 Outbreak of E.coli 0157 in South Wales^[1], Director of CIEH Wales Julie Barratt commented:

“Professor Hugh Pennington’s report rightly points out that we owe it to the memory of Mason Jones to learn lessons from this outbreak.

“While responsibility for food safety rests with a business first and foremost, local authorities must not fail to take strict and appropriate action where a business deliberately flouts that responsibility.  

“The CIEH agrees that all inspections must be unannounced. An inspection is a snap shot in time and in the interests of public health businesses should not be allowed the opportunity to prepare, or as in this instance to falsify information.

“Independent, third party audits of companies supplying high risk foods to the public sector can only help to reduce risk. This may be seen as a burden by businesses but the safety of the public is of paramount importance. 

“Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) qualify with an extensive knowledge of

 HACCP ^[2] and food safety management systems, and following a period of supervision, may be given a warrant by their employer that allows them to inspect food premises, audit HACCP plans and enforce the provisions of the Food Safety Act. The CIEH believes it is important that employers regularly assess their officers to ensure knowledge, skills and competences are being maintained. Additional resource to hone and improve these skills in this valuable area of work is welcomed.

“Furthermore, extra resource to ensure that food businesses, not only in Wales but throughout the UK, understand and have in place well documented food safety management procedures is also welcomed.

“The current law is adequate and food poisoning incidents are rare. This however will come as no consolation to the family of Mason Jones and others affected. Everything that can be done must be done to prevent another such outbreak.”