Food safety in 'crisis' due to inspection backlog

Consumers face an increased risk of food poisoning and other serious health issues because of a crisis in food safety, a BBC investigation has found.

Analysis shows one in five restaurants and takeaways have not been inspected by food inspectors for more than two years.

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Environmental health teams say a recruitment crisis and a backlog from the pandemic are behind the trend.

Guidelines state most food premises in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should be inspected between six months and two years depending on the level of risk.

Some extremely low-risk businesses, such as pharmacists and greengrocers, can be inspected within three years.

Council-employed Environmental Health teams rate premises on things like cleanliness, pest control and safe storage of food - giving a score between 0 in the worst cases and five in the best cases.

The BBC's analysis of more than 250,000 public records on the Food Standards Agency website has found more than 53,000 had not been inspected since 2021.

The picture in Newtown

According to the data, there is 203 business premises with a food hygiene rating in the SY16 postcode. Of these, 60, or 29% were inspected prior to 2023.

51 (25%) were inspected this year and 11 (5%) are still awaiting an inspection. 19 (9%) are exempt from ratings.

The average food hygiene rating in the Newtown area is a 4, meaning hygiene standards are good.

There are currently 5 businesses with a rating of one or two - Oaks Care Home, Tregynon Post Office, Brynllywarch School have a rating of one - major improvement is neccessary. Regent Cinema and Powys Theatre have a rating of a two, meaning improvement is neccessary.

'Serious public health issue'

Mike Short, Head of Local Government for Unison said:

“Environmental health is a shadow of its former self. Government cuts have put an almighty squeeze on council spending. Many jobs have gone and vital experience has been lost.

“Departments now have so few staff that inspections only happen when it’s too late and a problem’s been reported. In the past, councils would offer guidance and training to new businesses to help them stay the right side of the law. This has all long gone.

“Without a doubt, cuts have put the public at risk. Inspections are now so delayed that it’s perfectly possible for food businesses with shoddy hygiene practices to operate with little fear of ever being caught. This is a serious public health issue.”

The investigation comes amid heightened food safety concerns following an  E-coli outbreak in June linked to contaminated products.

Emily Miles, the chief executive of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which oversees food hygiene inspections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said councils were generally getting through backlogs of high-risk inspections, which mounted during the Covid lockdowns.

But she said the FSA was concerned lower-risk venues and new venues were not being checked.

She said: “It’s something that could be a slow burn to a very uncomfortable and unhelpful situation. We have high food standards in this country - but it’s something you won’t know you’ve got until it’s gone.”