Free food safety seminars are being planned for local businesses after the success of an event hosted by Fenland District Council.

Representatives of more than 20 food businesses attended the free seminar, which was organised by the council’s environmental health team and held at Fenland Hall last month.

Following a welcome from Cllr David Oliver, attendees heard from food safety and public health experts on subjects including food allergies and intolerance, food poisoning, effective cleansing and disinfection and safety of vacuum packed foods.

Feedback questionnaires showed that 93 per cent of respondents thought the presentations on the day were either good or very good, with many asking for regular similar events.

Trevor Darnes, senior environmental health officer at Fenland District Council, who organised the event, said: “It was great to welcome lots of different food businesses from across Fenland and give them the opportunity to improve and update their food safety knowledge and understanding.

“Many representatives said they found it really useful and would like us to hold further seminars in future, which we’re definitely going to look at doing.”

The free food safety seminar was held alongside the council’s usual food safety course, which is recognised as suitable training for employees in the food/catering sector.

The next training course is on Wednesday January 23 from 10am-1pm, at the council’s offices in Melbourne Avenue, March.

The course costs £40 per person and can be booked online at www.fenland.gov.uk/foodtraining