Food safety and food standards enforcement

Your rights during an inspection

During an inspection of your business, you have the following rights:

• when you're required or advised to do something, you have the right to request written explanation of what you need to do, by when and why and whether it's a legal requirement or a recommendation of good practice
• when immediate enforcement is taken, you have the right to a written explanation as to why this action was necessary
• when other enforcement action is taken or proposed, you have the right to have your point of view heard and for any alternative action (which must be equally effective) to be discussed
• when enforcement action is taken, you have the right to be told of any appeals mechanisms
• when items are seized, you'll be given a receipt
• if items are taken away to be tested, you may have the right to test the items yourself

If you're concerned about the possible implications for your business, ask the inspecting officer what will happen next.

Page last updated: 10 May 2022