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Mystery over bogus food official Mystery over bogus food official
(1 day later)
A man pretending to be a food inspector has left council officials baffled.A man pretending to be a food inspector has left council officials baffled.
They are warning outlets in Swansea to check identification as he has targeted at least two premises this month.They are warning outlets in Swansea to check identification as he has targeted at least two premises this month.
As far as they are aware he has not demanded or taken money, but claims to have observed staff preparing and serving food.As far as they are aware he has not demanded or taken money, but claims to have observed staff preparing and serving food.
Head of Environmental Health, Martin Saville, said: "We're not entirely sure why anyone would want to impersonate a food safety officer." Martin Saville, head of environmental health, said: "We're not entirely sure why anyone would want to impersonate a food safety officer."
The council said on both occasions he has contacted the businesses by phone claiming to have visited and observed staff at work.The council said on both occasions he has contacted the businesses by phone claiming to have visited and observed staff at work.
He claims to have official files with documents and individual business details.He claims to have official files with documents and individual business details.
Mr Saville added: "We have some concerns that these businesses are being mislead into thinking that the individuals they are dealing with have been from a food related inspection service such as our own Food and Safety Division. Mr Saville added: "We have some concerns that these businesses are being mislead into thinking that the individuals they are dealing with have been from a food related inspection service such as our own food and safety division.
"We're not entirely sure why anyone would want to impersonate a Food & Safety Officer, but calls from two separate businesses seem to confirm that this is the case." "We're not entirely sure why anyone would want to impersonate a food and safety officer, but calls from two separate businesses seem to confirm that this is the case."
He said the council had confirmed that their own food safety officers had not made any scheduled visits to either of the businesses.He said the council had confirmed that their own food safety officers had not made any scheduled visits to either of the businesses.
"Our advice to any business in Swansea is to always check the identity card of the individual."Our advice to any business in Swansea is to always check the identity card of the individual.
"Genuine officers carry ID cards with a photograph and will be happy to confirm their identity.""Genuine officers carry ID cards with a photograph and will be happy to confirm their identity."