Food Sampling

Food safety officers routinely sample foodstuffs for microbiological analysis to ensure the food is safe to eat.

We take part in national and Kent-wide projects, as well as programmes of local interest such as soft ice cream.  Recent projects have included cooked meats, sandwiches, dried fruits, salads, nuts and shelled eggs.

We also have a programme of environmental swabbing in food premises. As part of a hygiene inspection, surfaces and equipment are wiped with sterile swabs to check levels of contamination and the efficiency of cleaning.

We also have a duty to sample local shellfish beds where these are harvested commercially. Fishermen can only collect bi-valve shellfish (mussels and cockles) from beds that have been classified by the council after regular sampling. This involves officers collecting samples from beaches in Minnis Bay and Pegwell Bay at low tide and from the Margate Sands using a dredge from a fishing vessel.

Sampling provides a useful check on general hygiene standards, both nationally and locally. Last year we collected a total of 235 samples.

Environmental Health

E-mail: customer.services
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577421

Fax: 01843 221996