We inspect food businesses in the Borough to ensure that conditions are satisfactory and that food sold to the public is safe and free from contamination.
We provide information to businesses and to members of the public to increase awareness of food safety, investigate reports of food poisoning and notifications of infectious diseases.
Much of our work involves the unanounced inspections of food businesses as well as dealing with complaints. To see how we plan to do this in 2011 and 2012 please see our 2011-2012 food service plan (pdf - 300kb).
Hygiene and safety training
People working in the food industry must be properly trained, by law. We have been running successful training courses since 2003 at the Town Hall in Epsom. To find out when the next course is being held please contact us to reserve a place. For a list of accredited trainers visit the CIEH webpage.
Catering from Home
An increasing number of people are setting up home catering businesses. To assist with this process we have produced a guide aimed at those who wish to produce small volumes of food commercially. Guide to Catering from Home (pdf - 83kb)
Complaints
If you have bought or seen food in the Borough that you consider to be contaminated, please contact us so that we can carry out an investigation.
More detailed information on how a food complaint is handled.
Complaints concerning the quality, labelling and composition of food are dealt with by Surrey County Council's Trading Standards Department
Approved Food Premises
If you operate certain types of food premises you may need to be approved by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.
You should contact your Local Authority to see if you require approval for premises including:
· meat processing plants
· meat preparation plants
· minced meat processing operations and mechanically separated meat
processing plants
· cold stores.
Food Premises Registration
To store, prepare, distribute or sell food on a premises you need to be registered with the Local Authority. Premises include restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans and food delivery vans. Some manufacturers handling products of animal origin may need to be approved by the Local Authority or the Meat Hygiene Service, rather than registered. If you are uncertain whether your business needs to be approved or registered, contact your Local Authority.
Eligibility Criteria
No provision in legislation.
Regulation Summary
A summary of the regulation relating to the registration
Application Evaluation Process
No provision in legislation.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
In relation to Approved Food Premsies, no. It is in the public interest that the Local Authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Local Authority within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.
In relation to Food Premises Registration, yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the Local Authority by the end of the target completion period.
Apply online
The EU Services Directive took effect in late December 2009 with an aim to open up the European Internal Market to cross-border trade in services. There is a requirement for Local Authorities to make certain licensing processes available online.
An online portal, "EUGO", has been established so that service providers can source information with regards to doing business within Europe. In the UK, the portal is called UK Welcomes and is hosted by Business Link.
Apply for registration of a food business establishment
Tell us about a change to your existing food business establishment
Failed Application Redress
Please contact Epsom & Ewell Borough Council in the first instance.
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact Epsom & Ewell Borough Council in the first instance.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress
Please contact Epsom & Ewell Borough Council in the first instance.
Advisory leaflets
Guide to Catering from Home (pdf - 83kb)
Food Hygiene training (pdf - 123kb)
Hygienic production of ice (pdf - 120kb)
Summer Eating (pdf - 160kb)
Turkey tips (pdf - 203kb)
Control of food hazards (pdf - 227kb)
Campylobacter bacteria (pdf - 130kb)
Salmonella food poisoning (pdf - 122kb)
Giardiasis Gastro Enteritis (pdf - 122kb)
Public Registers
Public Registers are available to view on request, An appointment to view can be made between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Please contact us to arrange a suitable time.
Further Information
Telephone: 01372 732000
email: contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
External information sources
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
DEFRA (Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs)
Department of Health
Food Standards Agency
Health Protection Agency
Trading Standards Central