The Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Remedial action notices and detention notices

9.—(1) Where it appears to an authorised officer that in respect of an establishment subject to approval under Article 4(2) of Regulation 853/2004—

(a) any of the requirements of the Hygiene Regulations is being breached; or

(b) inspection under the Hygiene Regulations is being hampered,

he may, by a notice in writing (a “remedial action notice”) served on the relevant food business operator or his duly authorised representative—

(c) prohibit the use of any equipment or any part of the establishment specified in the notice;

(d) impose conditions upon or prohibit the carrying out of any process; or

(e) require the rate of operation to be reduced to such extent as is specified in the notice, or to be stopped completely.

(2) A remedial action notice shall be served as soon as practicable and shall state why it is being served.

(3) If it is served under paragraph (1)(a), it shall specify the breach and the action needed to remedy it.

(4) An authorised officer of the enforcement authority whose authorised officer served the original remedial action notice shall, as soon as he is satisfied that such action has been taken, withdraw the notice by a further notice in writing served on the food business operator or his duly authorised representative.

(5) An authorised officer of an enforcement authority may, at an establishment subject to approval under Article 4(2) of Regulation 853/2004, by a notice in writing (in this regulation referred to as a “detention notice”) served on the relevant food business operator or his duly authorised representative, require the detention of any animal or food present for the purpose of examination (including the taking of samples).

(6) An authorised officer of the enforcement authority whose officer served the original detention notice shall, as soon as he is satisfied that the animal or food need no longer be detained, withdraw the notice by a further notice in writing served on the food business operator or his duly authorised representative.

(7) Any person who fails to comply with a remedial action notice or a detention notice shall be guilty of an offence.