Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Food Safety and Standards

The role of the Food Safety Team is to ensure that standards of food safety in the 2,400 food premises in the borough are maintained and improved.

Photo of Resturant Kitchen

This is achieved by assisting and advising the businesses involved or, where necessary, by the use of more robust enforcement action.

All food premises have to register with the local authority.

Our main approach to businesses is through unannounced inspections. The frequency of inspections is risk based, in accordance with government guidelines, and we regularly achieve over 95% success rate with our inspection targets.

An alternative approach is made in responding to complaints about food purchased or the standard of premises. Our target for responding to food complaints is within 3 working days. This is always achieved and a response is more likely to be the same day.

If you have a complaint about food premises or the safety of food or if you just want advice, contact the Food Safety Team - see Related Contacts.

Information can be accessed by the subject links below.


Barbecue Safety
Safety information on cooking outdoors.

Curry Chef Competition
Competition for chefs to demonstrate their culinary skills and hygiene excellence

Food Allergies
The substance in a food that causes an allergic reaction in certain people is called an allergen.

Food and Water Sampling
Information on how food and water sampling is carried out to ensure they meet legal standards.

Food Complaints
What to do if you discover a foreign object in your food

Food Poisoning
Information on food poisoning - how to avoid it, types of food poisoning.

Food Premises Registration
Food businesses must register with the local authority

Food Safety Award
Rewarding high standards of food hygiene in the catering industry

Food Safety Courses & Training
Information on education and training in Food Safety and Hygiene.

Food Safety FAQ's
Some frequently asked questions on food safety issues.

Food Safety Information for Businesses
Sources of information on food safety for business

Food Safety Management System
Information on managing the production of safe food.

Food Standards
Information on food standards, food labelling, compositional requirements, additives etc.

Heartbeat Award
Awarded to caterers that provide healthier food choices.

Listeria
Advice and guidance on the listeria group of bacteria.

Policies and Service Plans
Policies and Service Plans for Environmental Health and Trading Standards.

Presentations
Presentations on environmental health issues

Safer Food Better Business
Safer food, better business (SFBB) is a national food safety management system produced by the Food Standards Agency.

Scores on the Doors
5 star rating scheme for food premises

Starting Up a Food Business
If you are planning to open a food business there are a number of considerations you should think about and legal requirements you must observe.

Useful Links - Food Safety
For further information on national food issues

Related Contacts

Commercial Standards Team
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport. SK1 3XE
E: standards@stockport.gov.uk T: 08454 040506 (Consumer Direct) F: 0161 474 4369
Food Safety Team
Environmental Health & Trading Standards
Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport. SK1 3XE
E: food.safety@stockport.gov.uk T: 0161 474 4208 F: 0161 474 4369