Advanced Search

What are their external influences?

The biggest external influences on Kettleby Foods come from the fact that as part of the food industry, it has an important responsibility to ensure that its products meet stringent health regulations. The major regulators that inspect the factory and which Kettleby Foods always have to be accountable to are as follows:

Trading Standards: Weights and measures are generally inspected at least once a year and the weights of the products are tested against those advertised on the packaging. Kettleby Foods also have to ensure that the proportions of the ingredients they have in their meals corresponds with the labelling on the packaging. For example, if a Chicken and Broccoli Pie is advertised as containing at least 30% meat content, then 30% of the product must have meat content!

Health and Safety: A factory which has machinery, slippery floors and deals with food products has to have the highest levels of hygiene and cleanliness. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will inspect the site on a regular basis to ensure that it complies with all the regulations. The factory needs to demonstrate it has evaluated all jobs and tasks in the form of a risk assessment and then creates a safe system of work for operators to follow. It must also carry out extensive investigation of accidents and effect changes in work practices or machinery to prevent their re-occurrence. If the firm was found to be slipping in maintaining its standards, it could expect more regular visits from the HSE so management and education of all staff is vital to ensure that the standards are maintained at all times.

Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA): The government department responsible for devising and monitoring laws relating to food standards and hygiene. Generally representatives from DEFRA will visit the site at least once a year. They will monitor such things as the controls on the temperature at which food is cooked, the temperature of stored food, and the monitoring and recording of tests carried out by the firm.

European Food Standards Inspection Service (EFSIS): This is an independent inspection service that visits the site to inspect its routines and advise on potential issues that may need to be dealt with. The use of the services of this body is voluntary on the part of Kettleby Foods and results in the site being awarded an accreditation.

| Index | Previous Question | Next Question |