EHOs urged to work with caterers

Environmental health officers (EHOs) were last week urged to strengthen partnerships with caterers to ensure that changes to food hygiene legislation had the maximum possible benefit.

Health minister Baroness Cumberlege told EHOs at their annual congress that they would be instrumental in creating an atmosphere in which new, less prescriptive regulations could be implemented.

The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations are expected to be introduced by the end of the year to implement the EC Food Hygiene Directive, with revised food temperature control rules to be introduced in tandem.

Baroness Cumberlege told the audience the final draft regulations were to be sent out for consultation this week.

She said the directive, which Britain played a large role in drawing up, would bring major benefits to industry, the economy and individuals. But it would present a fresh challenge to EHOs. "The change in attitudes is enormous and it will be the first time we have fully made use of EHOs' skills," she said. "The challenge this time is: let's make partnership work and let's maintain our lead over Europe in developing sensible - and effective - regulations and enforcement."

Baroness Cumberlege was addressing delegates at the annual congress of the Institution of Environmental Health Officers (IEHO), held in Bournemouth. At the congress the institution changed its name to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health after being granted a Royal charter.

QMH relaunch

Queens Moat Houses (QMH) has appointed London agency GGK to formulate an advertising and sales promotion campaign for the group's 95 hotels as a prelude to a relaunch next spring.

The relaunch will focus on the two distinct brands QMH is currently developing - Moat House and County.