EnCaT is a small business based in Argyll which takes pride in tailoring its quality service provision to your individual needs. It is owned and operated by Sheila Baird, who has over 20 years experience working ias a Chartered Environmental Health Officer both in Local authority enforcement and as an independent trainer and consultant. Sheila is also involved in running a licensed catering business and therefore has a very practical understanding of Food Hygiene, HACCP and Licensing

She can provide expert advice on a wide range of food safety issues, such as Training, Hazard Analysis, Auditing and Consultancy.

Recent years have seen a change in style of legislation towards a requirement for businesses to 'self regulate'. This has increased the burden on small businesses, in particular, with regard to training staff, assessing risks and implementing risk management systems or HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) systems.

In rural and island areas obtaining training and advice or consultancy can involve great expense and significant travelling time. EnCaT, which is based in Lochgilphead, can provide an invaluable, high quality, informed and responsive support and training service to meet local needs of businesses throughout Argyll and Bute and the west of Scotland.

Consultancy

Drawing on years of experience in food safety enforcement EnCaT can offer advice to new and existing businesses on design, equipment, surfaces and finishes, training and hygiene management issues. EnCaT can assist you in development of HACCP or Cooksafe systems to suit the needs of your business and comply with the law.

Training

Current legislation requires that all food handlers are trained in food hygiene to a level appropriate for the level of risk involved. In practice the industry guides to food hygiene and Institute of Food Science and Technology guidance recommends that all staff who work unsupervised and handle open foods need formal training to at least Elementary level.

There is also a requirement for staff involved in setting up or maintaining a HACCP based system to have appropriate training in this.

Licensing Legislation which came into full effect in 2009 requires training of all staff working in licenced premises. EnCaT can provide the Scottish personal Licence Holder course for licence holders and also the refresher course for Personal icence Holders which needs to be completed within 5 years of the licence being issued. The staff workbook which can be used by personal licence holders to train staff is also avaialble to purchase through EnCaT.