The environmental health department is responsible for enforcing Consumer Protection legislation within the District. This legislation is primarily aimed at protecting consumers from the risks associated with the supply of unsafe goods from importers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers.

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

The National Food Hygiene Rating scheme (FHRS) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is a Food Standards Agency (FSA)/local authority partnership initiative. This national food hygiene rating scheme provides consumers with information about hygiene standards in food business establishments at the time they are inspected to check compliance with legal requirements on food hygiene. The food hygiene rating given reflects the inspection findings. Magherafelt District Council launched the scheme on 10 September 2012.

Food Control - Protecting Public Health

The aims of the Environmental Heatlh department are to protect public health by the effective implementation of food safety legislation and to protect and promote the health of the public through health education, consumer awareness and participation in multi-disciplinary health promotion initiatives. In working to achieve these aims the following roles are undertaken:

Introduction to Health & Safety
Health and Safety law is enforced by District Council Environmental Health Departments and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), depending on the business activity being carried on.

Controlling pollution in the Magherafelt area
The Environmental Health department are also responsible for investigating pollution in the Magherafelt area and enforcing the laws created to protect the environment.

Magherafelt District Council Consumer Protection Service
The environmental health department is responsible for enforcing Consumer Protection legislation within the District. This legislation is primarily aimed at protecting consumers from the risks associated with the supply of unsafe goods from importers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers