Aim

Arrangements require to be made for the appropriate storage of foodstuffs which have either been detained, or seized by Enforcement Officers in terms of the Food Safety Act 1990 (Section 9), The Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006 or the Imported Food Regulations 1997 until the due legal process associated with the detention or seizure has been completed and the foodstuffs either released or destroyed. These arrangements will also cover "out of hours" situations.

Review

This document will be reviewed in the event of any relevant significant changes as necessary and also on an annual basis from the date of implementation.

Corrective Actions

If the procedure is not being adhered to corrective action will be taken which may include revision of this document or staff training, as appropriate.

Procedure

The Food Safety Service has entered into an arrangement with *********************** whereby, following contact by an Officer from this Service, they will arrange for the collection, transport and appropriate storage (either chilled or frozen as required) for any foodstuffs which are detained or seized by Enforcement Officers in the course of their duties. ************************ can be contacted 24 hours, 7 days per week .

The following procedure should be used:

1.                  Contact *******************on ********************

2.                  Ask for ********************* ( if outwith normal working hours );

3.                  Specify foodstuffs being seized/detained;

4.                  Specify whether it requires uplift/transport/storage;

5.                  Specify either chilled or frozen transport/storage (Chilled Food will be stored at ******************** and frozen food at the ******************** address);

6.                  Specify number of packages, their size and approximate weight (tonnes);

7.                  Confirm arrangements by fax to ********************at the earliest opportunity and follow up with an official NLC Purchase Order.

NB.

***************** would appreciate as much notice as possible especially when requesting uplift/transport. It is to be stressed that suitable access arrangements must be in place for **************** vehicles to gain access to the foodstuffs ( i.e. no unusable dirt track roads etc.), failing which alternative access arrangements will require to be made by the Officer. Calls to *************** outwith normal working hours are automatically diverted to a Security Desk who may have no knowledge of these arrangements, therefore it is important that Officers ask to speak to *****************.

***************** have been advised that normally all foodstuffs will have been bagged and labelled by the Enforcement Officer. **************** will arrange for the provision of empty pallets complete with pallet collars for the transport of the foodstuffs and, when appropriate, will arrange for the pallets to be cling film wrapped on receipt at either cold store prior to storage.

Date of Introduction: 1^st April 2007

Date of Review: 7th August 2008.