Nelson City Council

Nelson City Council Environmental Health Officers (EHO) undertake over 300 routine inspections with further rechecks when required.  Premises range from dairies, takeaways, cafes, restaurants through to manufacturing businesses.

All food premises receive at least one inspections per year (usually unannounced), although more visits may be necessary if the EHO has concerns about the way the business is being operated and an additional fee may be charged.

In addition the Environmental Health Officer undertakes routine inspections of food stalls both at the Nelson Markets and other fixed locations and also those that are mobile shops that sell food in residential areas (such as ice cream vendors).

Audits

If you have a Food Safety Programme you will not be inspected under the Food Hygiene Regulations but are verified (audited) to ensure that you are conforming to your documented food control plan, and actually doing what you have said you will do, and that you are complying with the requirements of the Food Act 1981.

If you have a tailored Food Safety Programme your audit will be carried out by a NZSA approved third part Auditor.  A list of auditors are on the NZFSA website.

If you have an off the peg food control plan the audit will be carried out by the Council Environmental Health Officer

Questions

During the inspection and/or inspection the officer will ask you questions about your operation, such as staff training, stock rotation, cleaning methods, temperature control etc. You may be asked to produce items such as invoices showing when the grease trap was last cleaned, or who supplied your meat.

Statutory powers

Environmental Health Officers and Public Health Officers who are warranted Food Act Officers have a variety of powers such as seizing or detaining any article believed to contravene food law, arrange for the closure of a food premises until it complies with the requirements of the law and in worst cases, prosecution.