What to expect from a food safety inspection

If you disagree with a decision made by a food safety officer, you should first discuss this with the officer. If you are unable to resolve the issue with the person you have been dealing with, ask them for the name of their manager. You can then ask to speak with them, or write to them if you prefer, to see if you can resolve the issue.

If you still disagree after this process, you should use the local council's complaints procedure to escalate your problem. If this doesn't resolve the issue, you could approach your local councillor or contact the Northern Ireland Ombudsman.

You can appeal further if you are dealing with:

• a hygiene improvement notice - you can appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction
• a hygiene emergency prohibition order - you can appeal to the county court

The documents you received with the notice should contain guidance on how to appeal, including how long you have to do it.

See The Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 for details on the appeals.

Where food is found to be unfit for human consumption, the food will be seized and presented to a Justice of the Peace for condemnation. You have a right to claim compensation if the court decides that:

• the officer has shut your premises without proper reason
• food has been wrongly seized or detained

The Food Standards Agency provides detailed guidance on how to appeal against a decision made by a local authority after inspecting your business.