CONSUMERS across Basingstoke face an increased risk of food poisoning and serious health issues because of a crisis in food safety, new data shows.

Analysis of data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) by the BBC shows one in five restaurants and takeaways have not been inspected by food inspectors for more than two years.

Guidelines state most food premises in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should be inspected between six months and two years depending on the level of risk. Some extremely low-risk businesses, such as pharmacists and greengrocers, can be inspected within three years.

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Analysis of more than 250,000 public records on the FSA website has found that more than 53,000 restaurants and takeaways have not been inspected since 2021.

Data provided by the BBC shows that, of the 435 restaurants and takeaways it has data on, 64 (15 per cent) have not been inspected since 2022. This is close to the national average, which shows that 19.2 per cent of almost 231,000 restaurants have not been inspected since before 2022.

The delay on inspections has been blamed on cuts to environmental health.

Mike Short, head of government at Unison, said: “Environmental health is a shadow of its former self. Government cuts have put an almighty squeeze on council spending. Many jobs have gone and vital experience has been lost.

“Departments now have so few staff that inspections only happen when it’s too late and a problem’s been reported. In the past, councils would offer guidance and training to new businesses to help them stay on the right side of the law. This has all long gone.

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“Without a doubt, cuts have put the public at risk. Inspections are now so delayed that it’s perfectly possible for food businesses with shoddy hygiene practices to operate with little fear of ever being caught. This is a serious public health issue.”

Emily Miles, chief executive of the Food Standards Agency, said: “What we’ve got now is local authorities largely keeping up with the interventions they need to do in higher risk and medium risk - but they are not managing to keep up with the lower risk premises. And that’s just a concern to us - it means food businesses are missing out on advice and support. And we also know that when somewhere gets a higher food rating it’s far less likely to cause someone to be ill.”

A Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council spokesperson said: “As with all other councils in England and Wales, we use a risk assessment system to prioritise inspections. All higher risk food premises in Basingstoke and Deane have been inspected. There are over 1,600 registered food businesses in the borough and this number increases all the time. 

“Higher risk premises are inspected more frequently than lower risk premises.  The outstanding inspections are in the lower risk category, which can be inspected every two to three years. We are working to address the backlog of lower risk inspections and the Food Standards Agency is aware of  our plan to do this.”