Environmental Health Officers have their fingers in local bakeries' pies

12 March 2013

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As British Pie Week ended last week, Borough-based butchers, bakeries, cafes and chip shops received a thumbs up from Woking Borough Council's Environmental Health Officers after tests revealed a clean bill of health for their pies.

Food samples were collected from nine premises in the Borough serving freshly made, frozen or reheated pies. Tests were carried out by a public health laboratory for bacterial examination, and results came back clear of food poisoning bacteria.

The pie sampling formed part of the Health Protection Agency's coordinated study to test `ready to eat' meat pies by collecting samples from businesses. Woking Borough Council supports these studies, and in addition, carries out its own tests throughout the year. In recent years, this has included studies of imported foods, home-made pate and samosas, cooked rice and chopped salad.

Mr George Honour, Owner of GJ Honour Family Butchers in Woking, said: "We welcome the opportunity to work with the Council's Environmental Health team in ensuring the products we produce in-house are of the highest standard and quality. It's good for our customers, who can be safe in the knowledge that the freshly- produced pies they purchase from us are safe as well as tasty."

Cllr Beryl Hunwicks, Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Food and Health and Safety, said: "It's encouraging to see Environmental Health Officers not only taking part in studies organised by the Health Protection Agency, but also conducting their own studies to ensure standards are maintained across the Borough.

"I'm pleased to hear that all of the samples collected from local premises came back all clear, and those residents who purchase pies can rest assured they contain no food poisoning bacteria."

For further information on the Environmental Health team, visit www.woking.gov.uk/envhealthservice, or email envhealth@woking.gov.uk