Food Safety

Waverley Borough Council regulates food safety within all food businesses in the borough. This includes regular inspections of food businesses. We also provide advice and information to food businesses and respond to complaints about food businesses.

Storing food  

• Use your refrigerator to store food. Don't over fill it with drinks that can be kept either outside or in a cold shed or garage
  
• keep raw meat and poultry or defrosting food at the bottom of your fridge and prevent the juices from dripping into the salad tray
  
• keep cooked and raw foods separate on different shelves in the fridge
  
• Don't leave food out at room temperature that should be kept in the fridge
  
• keep your fridge temperature between 0oC and 5oC and use a fridge thermometer to check the temperature
• refrigerate cooked food as soon as it is cool. Cool hot food down within one and a half hours.
  

Cooking

• Make sure meat and poultry is fully thawed before cooking
• don't forget to remove the giblets from your bird
• cook stuffing separately. If you wish to stuff the bird, stuff the neck end only
• mMake sure leftovers are not reheated more than once and that they are piping hot all the way through

General hygiene

• Wash your hands frequently in hot soapy water, especially after handling raw foods and before handling cooked meats or salads
• dry your hands on clean towels preferably disposable kitchen roll. Change cloth towels and tea towels regularly
• Wash work surfaces, dishes and utensils in clean hot water and detergent between and after preparing different types of food. Keep cloths clean and use a kitchen sanitiser if you can
• 'Use by' dates mean exactly that. You should not use food and drink after the end of the 'use by' date shown on the label. Even if it looks and smells fine, using it after this date could put your health at risk and give you food poisoning. 'Use by' dates are normally put on highly perishable foods such as milk, soft cheese, sliced meats and prepared salads.

Related websites

Food Standards Agency - Safe Christmas Eating
NHS - Home Hygiene Advice

Contact us 

If you would like to contact us please:
Tel: 01483 523424
Email: juliet.smith@waverley.gov.uk
Visit or write to us at:
Environmental Health
Waverley Borough Council
The Burys
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1HR

Some aspects of food law inspection are dealt with by Surrey County Council Trading Standards. Generally food hygiene matters are dealt with by us and food standards matters such as labelling and composition are dealt with by Trading Standards. Please contact Trading Standards for more information.

Page Updated: 06/07/2010 12:48