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Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

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The professional voice of EH. Campaigning for healthier and safer environments everywhere.

We're a professional, awarding and campaigning organisation at the forefront of environmental and public health and safety.

03/11/2026

🚨 A Chinese takeaway in Willenhall was ordered to close immediately after Environmental Health Officers discovered a widespread mouse infestation.

Walsall Council officers found mouse droppings throughout food preparation and storage areas at Double Luck Chinese Takeaway, including under cooking equipment, near a chopping board and next to packaged food.

The business was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice after officers identified an imminent risk to public health, with magistrates later confirming the closure was appropriate and justified.

The court also ordered the business to pay £475 in costs to the council.
The premises was allowed to reopen following remedial work and after officers were satisfied the immediate risk had been removed.

Councillor Ian Benton, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene and Enforcement at Walsall Council, said: “Effective pest control is a basic requirement for any food business. Finding mouse droppings where food is stored or prepared is a serious hygiene failure, and it is not something we can overlook.

“Businesses are responsible for keeping their premises clean, preventing pests from getting in and dealing with infestations promptly. Where those standards fall short, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.

“As the weather gets colder, rodents will be looking for warmth, food and shelter, making it even more important for businesses to get their pest controls right. I’d urge owners to check their premises now and deal with any issues before they become a serious problem. This case should be a warning to any business that lets its standards slip. “

02/11/2026

📢 The November issue of Environmental Health News is out now!

Food regulation is changing, but what does the future look like and what role will environmental health professionals play? This month, we explore plans for a stronger, more resilient regulatory system and how CIEH is working with the Food Standards Agency to help shape reform.

Also in this issue:

➡️ New routes for professional development, skills and career progression
➡️ What an avian flu outbreak revealed about coordinating national, local and volunteer-led responses
➡️ Why environmental health should be central to climate adaptation
➡️ Free school meals extended to over three million children

Plus, legal updates, recent prosecutions and more from across the profession.

📖 Members can log in to MyCIEH to read the full November edition.

02/11/2026

🏊 How can swimming pools be operated safely and effectively, while meeting legal requirements and best practice?

Join CIEH’s half-day technical workshop on Guidance and best practice for health and safety in swimming pools, designed for Environmental Health Practitioners and health and safety managers.

Led by Chartered Safety and Health Consultant and leisure industry specialist Leigh Simmonds, the workshop will use practical examples and legal perspectives to explore:

• Lessons from incidents that have led to criminal prosecutions and civil claims
• Pool safety operating procedures, NOPs and emergency action plans
• Swimming pool-specific risk assessments
• HSG179, BS EN 15288 and other relevant guidance and best practice
• Lifeguard zone visibility tests, Natural Scan:20 and pool supervision technology

Attendees can earn 3 hours and 30 minutes of CPD.

👉 Find out more and book your place: https://www.cieh.org/events/2026/november/workshop/hs-swimming-pools/

30/10/2026

📅 Less than a week to go until CIEH’s first Licensing Conference!

Taking place online on Thursday 5 November, the CIEH Licensing Conference 2026 will bring together licensing professionals, Environmental Health Practitioners and regulatory leaders to explore the legislative changes and wider challenges shaping the future of licensing.

The packed programme will cover:

🔹 Changes affecting the Licensing Act
🔹 Digital ID
🔹 Gambling and Gambling Impact Assessments
🔹 The Draft Taxi Bill
🔹 Charity collections and street management
🔹 The To***co and Vapes Act and what licensing authorities need to prepare for
🔹 The evolving role of licensing officers, including recruitment, retention, digital working and political pressures
🔹 How effective partnership working can deliver better regulatory outcomes

CIEH Head of Membership Services Nikki Pearson said: “With legislative change, new areas of responsibility and growing pressures on local authority teams, it is more important than ever that professionals have opportunities to keep up to date, share best practice and learn from colleagues across the sector.”

👉 Read more about our first Licensing Conference and book your place: https://www.cieh.org/news/press-releases/2026/cieh-launches-first-licensing-conference-to-explore-legislative-change-and-future-of-profession/

29/10/2026

🐕 Barking dogs are among the most common noise disturbances affecting people in England and Wales.

A recent prosecution by Thurrock Council has highlighted the important role Environmental Health teams play in tackling persistent noise nuisance and protecting communities.

A former Thurrock resident has been sentenced after failing to comply with a legal notice requiring her to address persistent dog barking that was causing a nuisance to neighbours.

Marcella Ferreira was prosecuted by Thurrock Council after breaching a noise abatement notice served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The notice required action to be taken to prevent ongoing noise nuisance affecting nearby residents.

In sentencing, magistrates heard that the offence involved an ongoing failure to comply with the notice over a prolonged period. The court also considered the impact on neighbouring residents and the costs incurred by the council in investigating and prosecuting the case.

The court imposed a £1,500 fine, £440 victim surcharge and ordered her to pay £9,364.10 in council costs.

Councillor Russell Cherry, Cabinet Member for Veterans, Enforcement and Environment at Thurrock Council, said: "Residents have a right to enjoy their homes without being subjected to persistent nuisance and disturbance.

"When concerns are reported, the council will investigate and, where necessary, take enforcement action to protect the wellbeing of local communities.

"This was a particularly serious case which required a substantial and lengthy investigation by our Environmental Protection officers. The significant costs awarded by the court reflect the extensive work undertaken to investigate and evidence the offences. It was also right that the costs of taking this action were recovered from the offender rather than falling on Thurrock taxpayers."

The case comes shortly after CIEH published its major Sound Thinking report, combining local authority noise complaint data with Ipsos polling of more than 2,100 adults aged 16–75 in England and Wales.

Of those polled, noise from animals, such as barking dogs, was the most selected noise disturbance by those polled at 38%.

🔗 Read CIEH’s Sound Thinking report: https://www.cieh.org/policy/campaigns/noise-survey-and-sound-thinking-report/

29/10/2026

Prepare for the future of licensing at our new conference supported by the Institute of Licensing.

Join licensing professionals, environmental health practitioners and regulatory leaders for legislative updates on the Licensing Act, the introduction of digital ID, use of Gambling Impact Assessments, the Draft Taxi Bill, and more.

There will also be a breakdown of The To***co and Vapes Act where we will examine what licensing authorities need to prepare for.

As the profession evolves, let’s come together to explore the licensing officer of the future.

Book now and be part of the conversation: https://cieh.pulse.ly/2gvbiisa4u

28/10/2026

⚡ Build your confidence in electrical safety with our Basic Electrical Awareness workshop.

Taking place online across 10 and 11 November, this practical CIEH workshop provides an introduction to the fundamentals behind Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), helping you understand reports, question their validity and recognise the electrical requirements for a safe property.

The course is ideal for Environmental Health, Housing, Licensing, Trading Standards and other regulatory officers who want to strengthen their knowledge of electrical safety in the private rented sector.

✅ Practical learning and real-world examples
✅ Understand EICRs and test sheet information
✅ Explore key electrical components and safety requirements
✅ 6 hours CPD

📅 10–11 November 2026

💻 Online via Zoom

👉 Find out more and book your place: https://www.cieh.org/events/2026/november/workshop/basic-electrical-awareness/

27/10/2026

⚠️ A Cornwall wedding cake supplier has been ordered to pay almost £4,000 after a cake supplied for a wedding contained pieces of plastic and could also have exposed a bride with a severe nut allergy to potentially life-threatening contamination.

Faye Selway, of the Natural Cake Company in Wadebridge, pleaded guilty at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court to four charges under food safety legislation and was fined £896 and ordered to pay £3,067 in Cornwall Council’s costs.

The customer had been assured that the cake would be nut-free and made in a completely nut-free cake studio, which was crucial because one of the brides had a severe nut allergy and had previously been hospitalised with anaphylaxis.

However, Cornwall Council’s investigation found the cake had instead been made in a domestic kitchen. Neither that kitchen nor the cake studio was registered with the council as a food business.

The cake was ultimately not served after kitchen staff discovered pieces of plastic between layers of icing.

CIEH is highlighting the case as a stark reminder of why food businesses must register with their local authority and comply with vital food safety and allergen regulations designed to protect consumers.

Claire Lucas, Food Safety Manager and CIEH member, said: “This case is a stark reminder that food businesses have a fundamental responsibility to protect the health and safety of their customers.

“With the rapid growth in small food businesses and so-called ‘dark kitchens’ - delivery-only food operations with no customer-facing storefront - CIEH is concerned that businesses operating outside the regulatory system could be putting consumers at unnecessary risk by failing to register with their local authority and comply with essential food safety and allergen requirements.”

👉 Read our full response: https://www.cieh.org/news/press-releases/2026/cornwall-wedding-cake-supplier-prosecution-highlights-dangers-of-poor-allergen-management/

*image courtesy of Cornwall Council

27/10/2026

Today is National Mentoring Day and we're celebrating the power of mentoring and the difference it can make to careers, confidence and the future of environmental health.

When CIEH member Anthonia relocated to the UK from Nigeria, she was determined to continue her career in environmental health but faced the challenge of navigating a new system and finding the right opportunity.

Through the CIEH Mentoring Scheme, she was matched with mentor David, whose guidance, support and practical advice helped her secure her dream role as a Food Safety Officer/EHO with a London local authority.

Anthonia said: “I am truly grateful to CIEH for providing this platform. The mentorship gave me confidence, direction and a better understanding of environmental health practice in the UK, making what had been a difficult job search feel much more seamless.

“I would like to sincerely thank Tracy (CIEH Membership Officer) and the CIEH membership team for their excellent support and for making the mentoring opportunity possible, and especially my mentor David, whose advice and guidance were incredibly impactful.

“I would strongly encourage other EHPs, particularly those new to the UK, to make use of the CIEH mentoring programme. The right guidance at the right time can make a real difference.”

🎥 Hear more from Anthonia about how mentoring helped her take the next step in her environmental health career.

👉 Are you a CIEH member and interested in becoming a mentor or finding a mentor? Learn more about the CIEH Mentoring Scheme and help shape the future of the profession: www.cieh.org/mentoring

26/10/2026

Do you have an opinion on something you’ve read in EHN or on something pressing impacting your work in environmental health?

CIEH members have the opportunity to share their thoughts with readers and fellow environmental health professionals via our online form.

👉 Submit your letter now: https://www.cieh.org/ehn/ehn-letters/

We look forward to reading your insights!

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