 Sara Quinn, Ben Milligan and Andrew Bradley |
The Food Standards Agency has set up a voluntary team of EHOs to help co-ordinate an increase in inspections and food sampling during the 2012 Olympic Games.
Ten EHOs from around the UK were chosen to act as ‘ambassadors for food safety’ and represent the work of environmental health staff as part of the FSA’s Play It Safe campaign to raise food safety awareness this summer.
The team will liaise with the media over food safety during the games.
Initiatives carried out under the campaign’s banner include a food safety coaching programme for small businesses in need of improvement, funding and training initiatives for local authorities and providing extra equipment for sampling and checks on cleaning.
Sarah Appleby, head of enforcement and local authority delivery at the FSA, said: ‘It will be an exceptionally busy time for many food businesses, and we’re providing extra support and advice to make sure they’re well prepared to meet the challenge.’
Food Safety Squad member Ben Milligan, an EHO at Tower Hamlets, said: ‘From my regular conversations with food businesses around East London I know the Games are seen as a real opportunity in terms of business and profits.
‘At the same time, having to serve more people than normal can create situations that don’t arise under normal circumstances, such as the need to produce and store lots of food in advance.’
The Food Safety Squad:
Ben Milligan – EHO, Tower Hamlets
Sara Quinn – EHO, Westminster
Andrew Bradley – team manager, Merton
Suzanne Whittaker – senior EHO, Trafford Metropolitan Council
Rhian Carter - senior EHO & port health officer, Cardiff Council
Nicola Wallis – food safety officer, Coventry City Council
Xenia Jacques – EHO, Coventry City Council
Paula Davis - team manager - food safety, Newcastle City Council
Kaye Rowe – EHO, Newcastle City Council
Aimee Cartwright - principal public protection officer/chartered EHO, Portsmouth City Council