Shropshire Council’s meals security crew have been made conscious of experiences regarding deceptive approaches by consultants in direction of meals enterprise operators.
Current incidents spotlight cases the place companies have been pressured into paying for companies beneath deceptive pretences and probably impersonating Authorised Officers working for the Native Authority.
For instance, one enterprise has reported that an organization approached them to promote meals consultancy companies. The enterprise suggested that the consultancy additionally marketed themselves as being really helpful by Shropshire Council and wished £450 monthly from the enterprise for his or her companies for a hard and fast time period.
To make sure readability and defend companies, the council desires to reaffirm the next key factors:
- Native Authority Environmental Well being Officers (EHOs) and Meals Security Officers don’t challenge fines throughout meals inspections. As a substitute, they supply recommendation and clear timescales for any required enhancements. Chargeable prices solely relate to Rescore Inspection visits, which is on the request of the Meals Enterprise.
- Recommendation from Native Authority Meals Security Groups is commonly obtainable freed from cost. Companies searching for steering might need to contact their local authority earlier than participating with exterior consultants.
- Shropshire Council doesn’t work in collaboration with non-public meals consultants. If a person claims to be affiliated with a council or regulatory physique, companies ought to confirm their credentials to incorporate Skilled {Qualifications} and membership of a Skilled Physique, together with membership quantity.
- All official Environmental Well being and Meals Security Officers carry native authority identification and talk by way of official electronic mail addresses.
- Any cases of aggressive or deceptive behaviour ought to be reported to the relevant local authority and, if obligatory, to the Police.
