The Environmental Health Officers within local authorities play a key role in shaping the quality of local environments. Their roles can encompass many different aspects of health including housing quality, noise pollution food standards and pest control. Further details from individual local authorities are accessible through their websites.

Since 3 April 2000, all matters relating to food "from the farm to the fork" in the UK are now officially the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. One of the first tasks of the FSA has been to produce a Service Standard in conjunction with local authorities for the enforcement of food safety. In due course the delivery of that standard will be audited in order to protect public health and to ensure that local authorities have sufficient resources to fulfil the minimum requirements set by the FSA. The FSA is psroposing to undertake a review of all the Codes of Practice under the Food Safety Act 1990. In conjunction with the Meat and Livestock Commission the FSA has also introduced licensing requirements for butcher's shops. (CIEH, 2000).

Shops and restaurants are inspected by local authority environmental health departments. Over 12 million is spent per year on food safety issues by local authorities in London, which represents nearly 16% of all environmental health staff time in Greater London (second only to housing 23%).

There are 60,972 premises in London subject to food inspection and many fail basic hygiene standards on a regular basis. Local authorities have the power to caution, serve prohibition orders and ultimately close premises that fail hygiene standards. Amazingly, over 40% of restaurants and manufacturers in London are given written warnings to improve their hygiene standards.

As one might expect, food poisoning is a major public health issues for Londoners. Food poisoning incidents rose from 4,000 in 1987 to 10,000 in 1997 and is currently notification rates are as high as 130.6 per 100,000. Food poisoning occurs in both commercial settings and through self-prepared food. Weddings and large social functions make up a large proportion of places to contract food poisoning. Variations between boroughs reflect different standards and traditions for recording, and the number of food handling premises.

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There is little routine information about diet and eating habits of Londoners. Information from the National Food Survey conducted by Ministry for Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) collects information on the quantity and value of food purchased to derive estimates of consumption and nutrient intake. London is showing beneficiary trends in food consumption patterns from a health perspective - less fat, less meat, more fruit and more bread, although there appears to be a fall in consumption of vegetables. More men than women in London are obese with over 40% above 25 BMI (Body Mass Index). Lack of exercise and a poor diet are contributors to rising obesity levels.

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Selling alcohol in a shop, supermarket, pub or restaurant requires a license from a magistrate. There are over 19,000 premises licensed in Greater London. Under-age drinking is still a pertinent issue across the UK, and injury from alcohol still a constant issue for accident & emergency departments, particularly at weekends. Alcohol still plays a major role in many crimes, particularly those that are violent. Alcohol is more readily available than even before (apart from maybe the gin-alleys of the 1800s).

Date	Title	Format	View
26 Jul 2006	Building for Health
2 Dec 2003	Food safety in 1998
2 Dec 2003	Proportion obese (BMI>30) by HA: persons; mean and age standardised mean (95% confidence limits)
2 Dec 2003	Public health drainage and pest control

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• CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy) - Statistical Information Service, Apart from providing advice and publications to local authorities CIPFA has a statistical arm which produces estimates and actual financial information on core local authority functions. Information is published in reports.
• National Food Survey - Collects information on the quantity and value of food purchased to derive estimates of consumption and nutrient intake.
• CIEH - Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

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• Environment pollution and health - A report for the Health Strategy for London.
• CIEH (2000) Environmental Health Report, 2000. Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
• CIPFA (2000) Environmental Health Statistics 1998-99 Actuals. Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, Statistical Information Service.

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