Northumberland County Council has adopted an updated food service plan to maintain food quality and safety.

The county has more than 3,600 food premises, all subject to food safety and standards regulations.

Currently, 99 per cent of food businesses in the county have a food hygiene rating of satisfactory to very good (three to five stars), which is above regional and national averages.

There are also more than 1,700 feed hygiene businesses – mainly farm premises – which are also subject to inspection.

The Food & Feed, Safety & Standards Service Plan 2024/25 outlines the inspection programme, targets, enforcement actions, and how staffing resources will be deployed.

Prudhoe south councillor Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for Looking after our Communities, said: "Our Public Protection Service works very hard so we can have confidence in a high level of food safety and hygiene when it comes to food.

"This service plan is produced on an annual basis in line with guidance from the Food Standards Agency and provides assurance we are keeping people safe and are committed to working with businesses in a transparent, fair and equitable way to deliver this important service."

All aspects of a food business are inspected, including how food is stored, prepared, produced, and served.

They also check the labelling, description, and composition of the food on display and being sold.

Fridge and freezer temperatures, cleaning regimes, allergen controls, and pest and waste control arrangements are also reviewed.

Inspectors require proof of staff food hygiene training and written food safety procedures.

Businesses are then given a food hygiene rating, if eligible.

The council’s Public Protection Service also provides a reactive response to various food safety, food standards, and animal feed safety issues.

These include complaints about food that does not meet legal standards, food thought to have caused illness, or premises deemed to be unhygienic.

The service works in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to investigate notifications of infectious disease outbreaks.

In 2023/24, a total of 159 infectious disease cases and food poisoning outbreak investigations were carried out.

They also investigated 327 complaints covering hygiene and standards.