The consultation applies to Food Business Operators (FBOs) who have had Good (18 month frequency) and Generally Satisfactory (12 month) outcomes over two successive FSA audit cycles.
“Further extending audit frequencies aims to provide recognition for FBOs who have sustained a high level of compliance over consecutive audit cycles with an aim to ultimately reducing footfall resulting from official control activities without increasing risk to consumer protection or confidence,” said the agency.
For approved slaughterhouses with or without co-located cutting plants who have two consecutive audits in the ‘Good’ category the extended audit frequency should be 36 months, for those with two consecutive ‘Generally satisfactory’ audits the frequency should be 24 months and for those alternating between ‘Good’ and ‘Generally satisfactory’ outcomes it should be 24 months.
Comments should be sent to:
Kenneth Thoresen, Food Standards Agency, Operations Business Transformation and Intervention Team Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PR Telephone: 07789 8776901 Email: Kenneth.Thoresen@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
For standalone cutting plants and cold stores that have two consecutive audits in the ‘Good’ category to move to an audit frequency of 24 months, those with two consecutive ‘Generally satisfactory’ scores to have an audit frequency of 18 months and those alternating between ‘Good’ and ‘Generally satisfactory’ outcomes to move to a frequency of 24 months.
FSA is proposed that, during the inter-audit period, the number of unannounced inspections (UAIs) will increase from one to two.
Manufacturers of Ready-to-Eat products (RTE) will follow the same frequency as standalone cutting plants but UAIs will be increased from two to three during the interim audit period.
Responses are required by close 23 September and more on the consultation can be found here.