IAA focused on the E coli crosscontamination guidance

IAA focused on the E. coli crosscontamination guidance • Introductions • What we hope to cover today Ø Background to IAA and the benefits Ø The process – tips for implementing a robust IAA Ø The practical process focusing on the cross contamination guidance Ø The outcomes and moving forward

FSA Audits and IAA • Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 - competent Authorities are required to carry out internal audits or be subject to external audits to ensure that they are achieving the food control objectives of that Regulation • An audit is “a systematic and independent examination to determine whether activities and related results comply with planned arrangements and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve objectives”

Audit scope- FSA audits • The Agency implements an annual audit programme focusing on specific areas of food law enforcement • Drivers for audit policy development work include: Ø Other emerging policy issues e. g. matters arising from FVO Missions to the UK Ø Pennington E. coli report, which included recommendations specific to audit and led to the development of the guidance • Audits are more focused, less burdensome, more challenging. Include reality checks.

Inter-Authority Audit • The Agency strongly supports IAA and the development of robust local schemes • This can inform the central audit programmes, including LA selection for audit • A key component of a robust IAA must be effective follow-up including the production and closing off of IAA action plans • The Agency’s focused audit programme in 2009/2010 to evaluate IAA and peer review process was aimed at informing future IAAs. IAA toolkit produced to assist development of local programmes.

Key considerations for IAA • Produce precise scope and obtain full support for resource allocation from senior management • Agreed process among participating LAs with clearly defined timescales for all stages of IAA implementation • Round robin system of auditors- no reciprocal audits • IAA documentation – use FSA templates and toolkit • Have clear timescales for production of audit report and for audited LA to produce and agree report and action plan.

IAA – practical audit tips • Carry out as much desk top preparation prior to audit using pre-visit information obtained • Opening meeting to set the scene for the day • Take clear and concise notes throughout audit and give regular detailed feedback on findings • Use evidence and not personal opinion. • Consider carrying out reality visit to a food business with the officer who carried out last inspections • Closing meeting to feed back summary of key findings.

Implementation of the FSA Cross. Contamination Guidance • Produced as a response to Pennington South Wales Inquiry • FSA Focused audit survey 2012

FSA and IAA E coli audit Overview • • FSA audit findings Issues raised by local authorities Outcomes of FSA Audit E Coli IAA implementation

Background preparation for FSA Audit • Agreed Scope • Development of protocol/discussion questionnaire. • Development of checklists for file checks and reality visits. • Pre audit preparation.

Audit findings • • • Guidance generally welcomed Interpretation of Guidance. Record keeping Enforcement Improvement in standards

Good practice by local authorities • Working together within FLGs • Updating inspection aides-memoire and procedures. • Newsletters and sector specific guidance. • Sampling initiatives

Issues raised by local authorities • • Separation especially in small premises. Hand washing Disinfection Non hand operable taps/clean single use towels • Protective clothing • Consistency in scoring

IAA – implementation • You are welcome to use/amend FSA documentation. • Pre visit preparation. • Undertake discussion questions and file checks • Reality visit really useful

Post audit activities • For the IAA to be robust and have value, it is essential that there is an agreed mechanism for the monitoring of action plan implementation to ensure there are positive outcomes • The process should highlight good practice which can be shared locally and wider • Ideally a summary report of the IAA findings and outcomes should be submitted to Chief Officers Group or equivalent • It is useful to have a review of the IAA process once completed to inform future IAA development.

Thank you Questions? Jane Tait 07917 070440 Jane. Tait@foodstandards. gsi. gov. uk Christina Walder 020 7276 8372 Christina. Walder@foodstandards. gsi. gov. uk