£4m food examination facility opens at Felixstowe

A new £4m ambient food examination facility has opened at the Port of Felixstowe.

Transport minister Robert Goodwill this week opened the facility, which included a major refurbishment and expansion of the examination facilities and the provision of new offices for Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority.

The facility covers 3,045 sq m, with a further 840 sq m of office space and meeting rooms for both port and Port Health staff. Separate examination chambers, including segregated areas for dusty products such as chilli, spices and other powders, allow multiple consignments to be examined without the risk of contamination.

“This new state-of-the-art facility will ensure that vital imported products stay as fresh as possible,' Goodwill said. 'Some 40 per cent of the food on our supermarket shelves arrives by sea, so it must be checked efficiently in the most hygienic conditions.

“The significant investment currently underway across the UK means our major ports remain world leaders, contributing billions to the UK economy and creating thousands of skilled jobs.”

Clemence Cheng, chief executive of the Port of Felixstowe and managing director of HPH Europe division, added: “We are committed to a programme of investment across all parts of the port to ensure our customers receive the highest possible levels of service. The new ambient-temperature facility is the latest example of this commitment.

'The dedication of our experienced examination facilities team, and the close working relationship they have with the Port Health authority, will ensure that together we deliver the very best, most efficient inspection process of any UK port.”