Food Safety Section

The Food Safety Section is part of the Council’s Environmental Services Directorate. Our work involves the routine inspection of food businesses on a regular basis - from small retail shops to pubs, restaurants and food manufacturers. We do this in order to:

Make sure they comply with food legislation
Check they have adequate standards of hygiene
Make sure they are storing, preparing, selling and serving all food safely, thus promoting safe and healthy eating within the Borough
Offer advice to food business operators

Scores on the Doors

Oldham Council has now launched 'Scores on the Doors', a scheme that allows you to view the hygiene rating we have awarded to food businesses as a result of our latest inspections of them. Find out more information here.

Other work

We also:

Investigate complaints and food poisoning notifications
Undertake food sampling
Arrange access to training courses and seminars - next course planned
Consult with food business operators on how we regulate them and on our enforcement policy
Offer Heartbeat Awards and Safer Food Better Business Awards to well-run businesses

The section has also produced a number of Fact Sheets relating to Food Safety which are aimed at the public. If you have any concerns or complaints about food hygiene or safety or about the condition of food premises, please contact us at the address below:

Food Safety Section
Environmental Services Directorate
Chadderton Town Hall
Middleton Road
Chadderton
Oldham
OL9 6PP

Tel: 0161 770 4484
Fax: 0161 770 4500
Email: env.foodsafety@oldham.gov.uk

Information for food businesses

Registration

Anyone starting a new food business must register with us at least 28 days before opening. Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge but you must complete and return the registration form to notify the Food Safety Team that you intend to operate a food business within Oldham MBC boundaries. You may contact us for a registration form to be sent to you, or you may download an Application for Food Business form for completion and return it to the food team. You should also let us know if you sell or close your business.

Approval of food premises

The authority is required to inspect and approve any premises defined as products of animal origin such as meat, dairy, egg or fish product plants under EC derived legislation. (nb some premises are exempted – if they are retail or supply other retailers on a marginalised, localised and restricted basis).

You may contact us for an approval application form to be sent to you, or you may download an approval application form for completion and return it to the food team.

Advice for food business

We have produced Business Advisory Sheets and a Food Safety Enforcement Policy leaflet (PDF 815Kb). However, if you want to speak to a food safety officer please contact us at the telephone number or e mail address above.

4 JANUARY 2010/PW/TP/EPS

Transport and streets

Factsheets