Hospitality Venues in Lincolnshire Face Food Hygiene Inspection BacklogsHospitality Venues in Lincolnshire Face Food Hygiene Inspection Backlogs A quarter of hospitality venues in Lincolnshire, England, have not been inspected for food hygiene in over two years, raising concerns about public health. East Lindsey District Council, in particular, accounts for over 75% of these cases. According to data analyzed by the BBC Shared Data Unit, East Lindsey District Council ranks among the worst performing districts in the country for food hygiene inspection backlogs. In the district, 642 takeaways and restaurants were last inspected before 2022. Food hygiene inspections are typically recommended every six months to two years, depending on the risk level. However, analysis by the Food Standards Agency found that 26% of hospitality venues in Lincolnshire are overdue for inspections, with East Lindsey accounting for the majority. The situation has been described as a “public health crisis” by Unison, the public services union. The Food Standards Agency has also expressed concerns that lower-risk and new sites are not being monitored. Environmental health teams cite the COVID-19 pandemic and a staffing crisis as the main reasons for the backlogs. However, Councillor Martin Foster, portfolio holder for environmental services at East Lindsey District Council, attributes the findings to an IT issue with the Food Standards Agency uploading inspection data. Despite the backlog, Foster maintains that public safety remains the council’s top priority and that food hygiene inspections are being conducted, particularly in high-risk establishments. The data reveals that: * Lincolnshire has 3,202 inspected venues, with 844 pre-2022 (26%). * East Lindsey has 1,118 inspected venues, with 642 pre-2022 (57%). * Boston has 250 inspected venues, with 46 pre-2022 (18%). * North Kesteven has 334 inspected venues, with 53 pre-2022 (16%). * West Lindsey has 318 inspected venues, with 41 pre-2022 (13%). * South Holland has 256 inspected venues, with 22 pre-2022 (9%). * Lincoln has 469 inspected venues, with 23 pre-2022 (5%). * South Kesteven has 457 inspected venues, with 17 pre-2022 (4%).
A quarter of Lincolnshire hospitality venues have not had a food hygiene inspection in over two years, with East Lindsey accounting for over 75% of these cases, which has been described as a public health crisis.
Analysis by the BBC Shared Data Unit has found that East Lindsey District Council is the third worst performing district in the country for food hygiene inspection backlogs. In East Lindsey, 642 takeaways and restaurants were last inspected before 2022.
Depending on the level of risk, it is recommended that restaurants and takeaways are inspected for food hygiene every six months to two years. However, analysis of hygiene ratings by the Food Standards Agency found that 26% of hospitality venues in Lincolnshire have been waiting for an inspection for more than 24 months.
Unison, the public services union, has called it a “serious public health issue” and the Food Standards Agency has raised concerns that lower-risk and new sites are not being monitored.
Environmental health teams cite the COVID-19 pandemic and a staffing crisis as the main reasons for these backlogs.
Here in Lincolnshire, East Lindsey is by far the worst performing district, accounting for 76% of the 844 food hygiene inspections last carried out in Lincolnshire before 2022.
Councillor Martin Foster, portfolio holder for environmental services at East Lindsey District Council, said an IT issue with the Food Standards Agency in uploading inspection data was to blame for the findings. He argued that the data “does not fully reflect the extensive efforts” made in carrying out inspections.
“We would like to emphasise that the data obtained do not fully reflect the extensive efforts we make in food hygiene inspections, particularly in establishments that are classified as high risk or that do not meet a food hygiene classification of 3 or higher.
“Public safety remains our top priority. Current data may not give an accurate picture of our inspection activity, but you can be assured that any changes to inspection results where food businesses significantly downgrade or improve their rating will be updated directly in the FSA system.
“We appreciate the patience of the public and stakeholders as we work to resolve this matter. Our commitment to ensuring that food safety standards remain high in East Lindsey remains unwavering.”
The data for Lincolnshire is as follows:
- Lincolnshire: 3,202 inspected in total, 844 pre-2022 and 2,358 post-2022 — 26% pre-2022
- East Lindsey: 1,118 total inspected, 642 pre-2022 and 476 post-2022 — 57% pre-2022
- Boston: 250 total inspected, 46 before 2022 and 204 after 2022 — 18% before 2022
- North Kesteven: 334 inspected in total, 53 before 2022 and 281 after 2022 — 16% before 2022
- West Lindsey: 318 inspected total, 41 before 2022 and 277 after 2022 — 13% before 2022
- South Holland: 256 inspected in total, 22 before 2022 and 234 after 2022 — 9% before 2022
- Lincoln: 469 total inspected, 23 before 2022 and 446 after 2022 — 5% before 2022
- South Kesteven: 457 inspected in total, 17 before 2022 and 440 after 2022 — 4% before 2022
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