PSO 5000 - Inside Time

PSO 5000 Page 1PRISON CATERING SERVICESEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTATEMENT OF PURPOSE1. This Prison Service Order (PSO) is being re-issued in place of the earlier edition of PSO 5000issued in August 2005.The earlier version of PSO 5000 is cancelled and existing copies must be destroyed.2. As part of on-going work to improve the quality and effectiveness of catering, the PSO hasbeen revised and updated. The revisions contain the latest legislative requirements andguidance on all aspects of food safety and production. It is the responsibility of all staff andmanagers involved in catering to make sure they are both aware of and implement foodsafety legislation. Not doing so could lead to serious consequences.3. Providing meals and food for prisoners is a key issue in maintaining order and controlwithin establishments, helping to meet the decency agenda - including meeting the needsof a diverse prisoner population - and can help improve prisoners‟ health. This PSO isdesigned to ensure that the Prison Service can best meet these challenges whilst at thesame time maintaining compliance with all relevant food safety legislation. Compliance willbe monitored by Governors, Area Managers, Area Catering Managers and Standards AuditUnit.4. The PSO is underpinned by the Performance Standard 04 on catering and food.DESIRED OUTCOME5. The PSO applies to all food provision in establishments including staff messes, clubs,prisoner visits and food bought by prisoners through the retail contract. It provides clearinstructions to Governors and caterers on the legal requirements and the steps needed toensure that all meal provision within establishments is carried out safely, decently andwithin a defined agreed policy framework which minimises any risk to the consumer.MANDATORY ACTIONS6. Governing governors and directors of contracted-out establishments must ensure that allcatering staff complies with the Food Safety Act 1990 and all subordinate legislation,including applicable EU food law. Catering staff must ensure that any prisoners working incatering areas comply with all requirements. All mandatory instructions shown in italicsthroughout this PSO must be fully implemented at all times.RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS7. The revisions address areas where current guidance and working practices requireupdating, enhancement or clarification. The changes will assist staff in carrying out theirduties and improve efficiency and compliance with legislative requirements and PrisonService standards. There are no additional resource requirements.Issue No. 294 issue date 09/04/08