Food hygiene inspections delayed in Gloucester
Its down to a shortage of qualified inspectors
Food hygiene inspections are being delayed in Gloucester due to a shortage of qualified inspectors.
Gloucester City Council chiefs say there has been an increase in demand for inspections as new food outlets opened after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
This increase in demand has coincided with a national shortage of qualified food safety inspectors.
The council is in the process of training staff members to fill the positions.
However, they are concerned about staff retention in what has become a highly competitive job market.
Due to the shortage, the council says it is prioritising the inspections it does depending on the risk.
Performance and resources cabinet member Hannah Norman (Con, Quedgeley Fieldcourt) said places which serve warm meat are prioritised ahead of places such as bakeries.
Speaking at this week’s overview and scrutiny committee, Councillor Terry Pullen (Lab, Moreland) raised concerns over the issue. He said: “It clearly shows there has been a drop. It’s not significant but nonetheless there is a drop. It alludes to the fact we have a shortage in environmental health officers.
“I appreciate you are training people up but I would like to know how many we should have and how many we have at the moment. This is really important for our fast-food outlets in particular.”
Cllr Norman said she did not have the figures to hand but explained how inspections are prioritised: “The increase in demand is due to the extra registrations post-Covid. Obviously certain food outlets can be more of a risk than others.
“Any places which serve warm meat will take precedence over establishments such as a bakery. They also factor that risk element with any complaints they receive from the public.”