Food Safety
Dover Port Health Authority conducts Food Safety inspection on board cruise ships, Ro-Ro ferries, merchant vessels, small passenger vessels and pleasure craft that dock at Dover Port.
Inspections are conducted to protect public health and safety from food-borne disease. In 2003 the Food Safety (Ships and Aircraft) (England and Scotland) Order 2003 came into force, it has extended the definition of a 'premises' for food hygiene purposes, to include ships. This means that certain provisions outlined in UK food hygiene legislations now apply to ship inspections.
Dover Port Health Authority also provide training on basic food hygiene and offer advice and guidance to crew, passengers, operators, agents and fellow regulators on:
Port Health Officers are highly trained in Food Safety and good hygiene practice; they conduct thorough inspections of the galleys, food storage areas, preparation areas, waste disposal and water quality arrangements. This often involves talking with crew and passengers.
Dover Port Health Authority work closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency who are responsible for crew conditions and welfare and the general Health and Safety on board ships.
Water Quality
Dover Port Health Authority take potable water samples from shore side bunkering points and from a variety of vessels including cruise ships, Ro-Ro ferries, merchant vessels, small passenger vessels and pleasure craft that dock at Dover Port.
New guidelines for water quality on board vessels have been produced in partnership with the Health Protection Agency. Port Health Officers of Dover Port Health Authority take water quality samples in accordance with the new guidelines. Samples may be taken as part of a sampling programme, to test turbidity, taint and or the presence of faecal indicator organisms. Port Health Officers also offer advice on cleaning regimes and chemical safety.
Please contact us if you would like further information on any of the above areas
Head Office
Port Health
Health Protection
Public Protection Section
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent
CT16 3PJ
Telephone: 01304 872216
Main Switchboard: 01304 821199
Fax: 01304 872416
E-mail: porthealth@dover.gov.uk
