Detention and seizure of food

A webinar presented by:

Dr Andy Bowles

Attendee Notes

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Detention and seizure of food

Dr Andy Bowles

Introduction

In this webinar I will consider: Detention & seizure of food under Food Safety Act Use of Food Safety and Hygiene (England)

Regulations powers Regulation 29 certification Regulation 10 detention

Detention

Food Safety Act Section 9

Food Safety &Hygiene

RegulationsRegulation 10

Official Controls(Animal Feed andFood) (England)

Regs

Art 18 882/2004Official detention

OFFC Regs Regulation 32

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Seizure

Food Safety Act Section 9

TARPRegulation 19

Regulation 32(6)

OFFC Regs Regulation 32

Food Safety Act 1990

Food Safety Act 1990

Section 9 Provides for detention or seizure of food that:

“Fails food safety requirements”

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“Fails food safety requirements” Food Safety Act 1990 – Section 8

Regulation (EC) 178/2002 Article 14

Unsafe food Unfit Injurious to health

Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 Regulation 29

Specified failures to comply: Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents,

contaminants in foods etc

Regulation (EC) 178/2002Article 14 – Food Safety Requirements Food not to be placed on the market if

‘unsafe’ Food is unsafe if it is: Injurious to health Unfit for human consumption

Should consider: Normal use of food by consumer Information provided to consumer

Regulation 29 Certification

Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013

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Regulation 29 Certification“On an inspection of any food, an authorised officer of an enforcement

authority may certify that it has not been produced, processed ordistributed in compliance with the Hygiene Regulations.”

Regulation 29 (1)

Officer should “Certify” in writing

“Where any food is certified as mentioned in paragraph (1) it shall betreated for the purposes of section 9 of the Act as failing to complywith food safety requirements.”

“Certified” food Fails food safety requirements Should be seized in accordance with s9 FSA 90

Regulation 10 Detention

Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013

Detention Notice Detention notices 10.—

(1) An authorised officer of an enforcement authority may,at an establishment that Article 4(2) of Regulation853/2004 requires to be approved, by a notice inwriting (in this regulation referred to as a “detentionnotice”) served on the relevant food businessoperator or duly authorised representative requirethe detention of any animal or food for the purposeof examination (including the taking of samples).

Notice lifted in writing By officer who served original notice

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Detention of Food

Detention of Food - overview

If it appears to an authorised officer that afood fails food safety requirements On inspection of food Otherwise than on inspection, it appears food is

likely to cause food poisoning or any diseasecommunicable to humans

May give notice not to be used & not to beremoved, or

Seized & removed

Detention of food - process

Serve Detention Notice Person in charge of food Detention of Food (Prescribed Forms) Regulations

1990 Identify food subject to detention Specify reason for detention Identify location of detention Notice is time limited: 21 days

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Detention of food - outcomes

Satisfied food ‘fails food safety requirements’ Seize Voluntary surrender

Food does not fail food safety requirements Withdrawal of detention Compensation

Detention – practical issues

Reasons for suspicion Person in charge of food Location of detention

Detention – practical issues

Recommended that following are recorded &agreed with owner of food at time ofdetention: Date of manufacture of food Shelf life Age of food Quantity of food Conditions of storage Value of food as paid by owner

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Detention – practical issues

Location of detention? Security Size of consignment Physical location Confidence in business Physical state of food Nature of suspected contamination Shelf life

Detention – practical issues

Other considerations: Monitoring of detained food Quarantine arrangements Expert advice Investigation Whether other products on premises have been affected Whether there are wider implications Possibility of malicious act

Reference should be made to enforcement policy

Detention – breach of notice

Any person who knowingly contravenesnotice……guilty of offence

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Seizure of Food

Seizure of food - overview

If it appears to an authorised officer that afood fails food safety requirements On inspection Otherwise than on inspection, it appears food is

likely to cause food poisoning or any diseasecommunicable to humans

May give notice not to be used & not to beremoved, or

Seized & removed

Seizure of food - process

‘Satisfied’ food fails food safety requirements Serve notice of seizure On person in charge of the food

Take possession of food Serve ‘Food Condemnation Warning’ Notice Food taken to Justice of Peace (Magistrate)

Best practice within 2 days Person who might be liable for prosecution can

attend application & call witnesses

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Seizure of food - process

If it appears to the Justice of the Peace, onthe basis of such evidence as heconsiders appropriate…, that food fails tomeet food safety requirements, he shallcondemn the food

Seizure of food - process

If JP refuses to condemn food: Food Authority shall compensate owner for

depreciation of its value Disputed right or amount payable shall be

determined by arbitration

Seizure - application to Magistrates Court

Dealt with by JP Mechanism

Written complaint Administrative procedure Must provide evidence

On balance of probability that food fails food safety requirements

May need to demonstrate that: Officer authorised Powers appropriately delegated Analyst appropriately appointed Results reliably obtained

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Court application Key features of application Identify yourself Authorised officer

Tell Magistrates what you want Condemnation Order Explain what that is

Why you want it Why food fails food safety requirements

Consequences of not issuing order Food will be returned to owner

Voluntary procedures

May be appropriate Public interest test Officer or Food Business Operator may suggest Refer to enforcement policy Must be documented

Seizure – practical issues Other considerations: Storage of seized food Use of experts Presentation to magistrates Disposal arrangements Investigation Whether other products on premises have been affected Whether there are wider implications Possibility of malicious act

Reference should be made to enforcement policy

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Summary

Questions?

Dr Andy Bowles FIFSTSpecialist food law solicitor

andy.bowles@abcfoodlaw.co.ukwww.abcfoodlaw.co.uk01603 274486

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Regulation 178/2002

Article 14: Food safety requirements1. Food shall not be placed on the market if it is unsafe.

2. Food shall be deemed to be unsafe if it is considered to be:(a) injurious to health;(b) unfit for human consumption.

3. In determining whether any food is unsafe, regard shall be had:(a) to the normal conditions of use of the food by the consumer and at each stage ofproduction, processing and distribution, and(b) to the information provided to the consumer, including information on the label, orother information generally available to the consumer concerning the avoidance ofspecific adverse health effects from a particular food or category of foods.

4. In determining whether any food is injurious to health, regard shall be had:(a) not only to the probable immediate and/or short-term and/or long-term effects ofthat food on the health of a person consuming it, but also on subsequentgenerations;(b) to the probable cumulative toxic effects;(c) to the particular health sensitivities of a specific category of consumers where thefood is intended for that category of consumers.

5. In determining whether any food is unfit for human consumption, regard shall behad to whether the food is unacceptable for human consumption according to itsintended use, for reasons of contamination, whether by extraneous matter orotherwise, or through putrefaction, deterioration or decay.

6. Where any food which is unsafe is part of a batch, lot or consignment of food ofthe same class or description, it shall be presumed that all the food in that batch, lotor consignment is also unsafe, unless following a detailed assessment there is noevidence that the rest of the batch, lot or consignment is unsafe.

7. Food that complies with specific Community provisions governing food safety shallbe deemed to be safe insofar as the aspects covered by the specific Communityprovisions are concerned.

8. Conformity of a food with specific provisions applicable to that food shall not barthe competent authorities from taking appropriate measures to impose restrictions onit being placed on the market or to require its withdrawal from the market where thereare reasons to suspect that, despite such conformity, the food is unsafe.

9. Where there are no specific Community provisions, food shall be deemed to besafe when it conforms to the specific provisions of national food law of the MemberState in whose territory the food is marketed, such provisions being drawn up andapplied without prejudice to the Treaty, in particular Articles 28 and 30 thereof.

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Fulchester CouncilFood Safety Act 1990—Section 9DETENTION OF FOOD NOTICEReference Number:

1. To:.........................................................................................................................Of: .........................................................................................................................

2. Food to which this notice applies:Description: ...........................................................................................................

Quantity: ...............................................................................................................

Identification marks: .............................................................................................

3. THIS FOOD IS NOT TO BE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.In my opinion, the food does not comply with food safety requirements because:..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4. The food must not be removed from:............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................*unless it is moved to:............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................(*Officer to delete if not applicable)

5. Within 21 days, either this notice will be withdrawn and the food released, orthe food will be seized to be dealt with by a justice of the peace, or in Scotland asheriff or magistrate, who may condemn it.Signed:......................................................................................................AuthorisedOfficer

Name in capitals:...................................................................................................

Date: .....................................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tel:.......................................Fax:..........................................................................

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Fulchester CouncilFood Safety Act 1990—Section 9WITHDRAWAL OF DETENTION OF FOOD NOTICE

1. To:.........................................................................................................................Of: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. Detention Notice Number ............... , dated ............... and served on you on............... (date) is now withdrawn. The food described in paragraph 3 below can nowbe used for human consumption.

3. Food released for human consumption:

Description: ............................................................................................................

Quantity: ................................................................................................................

Identification marks: ..............................................................................................

Signed:......................................................................................Authorised Officer

Name in capitals:...................................................................................................

Date:......................................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tel:...................................................Fax:..............................................................

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Fulchester CouncilFood Safety Act 1990—Section 9FOOD CONDEMNATION WARNING NOTICE

Reference Number:

1. To:.........................................................................................................................Of: .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. This Notice applies to the following food which has been seized by an officerof this authority:

Description: ...........................................................................................................

Quantity: ...............................................................................................................

Identification marks: .............................................................................................

3. IT IS MY INTENTION TO APPLY TO A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, ORIN SCOTLAND A SHERIFF OR MAGISTRATE, AT..............................................................................................................................ON ............... (DATE) AT ............... AM/PM FOR THE ABOVE FOOD TO BECONDEMNED,because..................................................................................................................

4. As the person in charge of the food, you are entitled to attend and to bringwitnesses.

5. A copy of this notice has also been given to:............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................who may also attend and bring witnesses.

Signed:......................................................................................................AuthorisedOfficer

Name in capitals:...................................................................................................

Date: .....................................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tel:.......................................Fax:..........................................................................

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Authority: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 –Regulation 10

DETENTION NOTICE(Establishments that require approval under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No.

853/2004)

1. To:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Food Business Operator or Duly Authorised Representative)

At:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Address of Food Business Operator or Duly Authorised Representative)

Name of food business:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address of food business:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. The following food is being detained for the purposes of examination:

Description:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Quantity:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Identification Marks / Health Marks:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. This food is not to be used.

4. The food is being detained for the purposes of examination.

5. The food must not be removed from

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Name / address of food business where food is to remain)

6. You will be informed in writing as soon as the Authorised Officer issatisfied as to the result of the examination. The notice will then either bewithdrawn and the food released, or the food will be seized to be dealt withby a Justice of the Peace, who may condemn the food and order itsdestruction. You may choose to destroy the food at any time.

Signed: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Authorised Officer)

Name in capitals: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Date:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Tel: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Fax: ……………………………………………………………………………………

E-mail: ……………………………………………………………………………………………

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The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 –Regulation 29

CERTIFICATE THAT FOOD HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCED, PROCESSED ORDISTRIBUTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE HYGIENE REGULATIONS

1. To:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Food BusinessOperator)

At:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Address of Food Business Operator)

Name of food business:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address of food business:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Following an inspection, the enforcement authority is satisfied that thefollowing food:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

has not been produced, processed or distributed in compliance with theHygiene Regulations, as outlined below:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The above food shall therefore be treated for the purposes of Section 9 of

the Food Safety Act 1990 as failing to comply with food safety requirements.

Signed: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(Authorised Officer)

Name in capitals: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Date: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Tel: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Fax: ……………………………………………………………………………………

E-mail: ………………………………………………………………………………………

Please read the notes overleaf carefully. If you are not sure of your rightsor the implications of this certificate, you may want to seek legal advice.

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