Over one hundred and fifty years ago the first public health legislation was brought in to help prevent disease and protect the health of the general public. In the 21st century this work is still carried out by the staff in West Dunbartonshire Council's Environmental Health Section.
The nature and scope of the work has changed beyond recognition from those early days. However, the aim is still to protect the health of all sections of society by encouraging good practice and enforcing laws that protect safety and health in the community.
Environmental Health staff work in partnership with other council departments and outside agencies such as health boards, public utilities (e.g. Scottish Water) and national organisations such as the Food Standards Agency and the Health & Safety Executive. Together we strive to maintain high standards of environmental and public health across the whole of West Dunbartonshire.
For local people, we are at the frontline of tackling issues that affect the quality of everyday life. Investigation of complaints about clean air; noise; sampling of foodstuffs and water supplies; maintaining and raising standards of safety and hygiene; treatment of vermin and insects; licensing activities; and inspecting the area for statutory nuisances.
Warning on Botulism Outbreak in France
The Food Standards Agency is warning people not to consume certain branded foods that have been linked to an outbreak of botulism in France. Botulism is a rare but serious illness that causes muscle weakness and breathing problems, and can be fatal.
The pastes and spread affected are not distributed in the UK but may have been bought in France or from the Internet. They are produced by a company called La Ruche, based in Cavaillon, France, and are branded as:
The pastes or spreads are made with olives, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, bell-peppers, anchovies, tuna, chickpeas, artichokes and aubergines. They have been on sale in shops and markets particularly in the Provence, Cote D’Azur region since 31 May this year with a best before date of 16 December 2012 and lot number 112005.
These products have been withdrawn from sale in France.
If you have brought these products back from France or bought them online you should not eat them but should dispose of them immediately.
Eight adults, five from Vaucluse in southern France and three from the Somme district in the north of the country have become ill after eating these pastes and the products have all tested positive for botulism.
If you have already eaten any of these products and feel unwell, it's important that you seek medical attention straight away, and tell your doctor that you've eaten food from La Ruche.
More information can be found on the Food Standards Agency website.
TV café owner launches new Food Hygiene Information Scheme
A new Food Hygiene Information Scheme was launched in West Dunbartonshire on Friday 1 October 2010,with the help of a famous fictional café owner.
The Food Hygiene Information Scheme - a partnership between West Dunbartonshire Council and the Food Standards Agency - is designed to make it easier for local people to see how well food businesses have done in their local authority food hygiene inspections, by providing businesses with a certificate for display at their premises.
A “Pass” certificate confirms that a food business has been inspected by their local authority and has met the required legal standards. If a food business falls short of the legal standard, it is classified as “Improvement Required”.
The scheme, which is currently being rolled out throughout most of Scotland, was officially launched in West Dunbartonshire by actress Libby McArthur, who plays Gina Hamilton , the proprietor of the Oyster Café in the hit BBC soap opera River City. She paid a visit to Helen’s Café in Old Kilpatrick, along with staff from West Dunbartonshire Council’s Environmental Health team, to present proud café owner Helen McFall with her “Pass” certificate.
Councillor Craig McLaughlin, the Council’s Convener for Corporate Services, said: “West Dunbartonshire Council is delighted to promote this new scheme as a means of better informing consumers of hygiene standards within food businesses, to enable them to make an informed choice about where they choose to eat, or to buy their food from.”
John Stevenson, Section Head of Environmental Health at West Dunbartonshire Council, added: “As well as providing consumers with information on hygiene conditions within food premises, the scheme will also help to drive up standards in those businesses that are not currently complying with their legal obligations. The new scheme opens the doors on food hygiene standards at food premises, by providing clear information to consumers at the point of sale. Standards within West Dunbartonshire food establishments are generally good and this has been borne out by the fact that almost 700 pass certificates were issued on the launch date”.
The display of a certificate by a business is voluntary but you will be able to access full information about all food businesses in the area on the Food Standards Agency website. Search for Hygiene Ratings
Further Information
