Mayor’s View – 28th May, 2009
Council’s Environmental Services’ staff are responsible for many regulatory functions. One of the responsibilities of the Environmental Health Team within this department is to protect the public from food poisoning and to help ensure that food consumed meets national safety standards under the Food Act.
To achieve these requirements a licensing and inspection program has been established by our staff for businesses within the Cassowary Coast Region (CCR).
Over the last twelve months since the CCRC was formed approximately 85% of the 266 licensed food outlets in the region have been inspected.
Because there had not been a thorough inspection regime for some time, our inspectors found a higher level of non-compliance than would normally be expected, with only half of the businesses passing on first inspection.
Most of the compliance issues have been able to be resolved relatively quickly, without great cost or effort. Others have involved some structural improvements and a commitment from the business to ensure a continuation of improved practices.
Some of the issues included:
- Staff not having appropriate food safety and hygiene skills
- Poor general housekeeping and cleanliness
- Building maintenance and structural problems
- Issues with food temperature controls
- Inadequate hand washing facilities
As a result of the current inspection program there has been a clear improvement in food safety and hygiene in those premises that were of concern.
Compliance actions by council’s Environmental Health Team have varied according to the severity of the problem or offence and the level of risk to public health. Action may be as simple as a letter outlining recommended improvements or more complex, requiring a formal regulatory approach.
Such formal compliance actions taken over the past year include:
- 58 improvement notices
- 13 show cause notices
- 9 penalty infringement notices
- 14 temporary voluntary closures
Council also has an ongoing communication and liaison role with local food outlets. Some proactive measures carried out by staff include:
- Providing seminars to the food industry and voluntary organisations on good food safety and hygiene practices
- Participating in a joint project with Queensland Health to improve healthy food options
- Providing food operators with information, such as copies of the food laws and advising them of their legal responsibilities
New government legislation governing food regulation has meant new requirements for both businesses and council staff. The objective remains the same – to ensure food for sale is safe and suitable for human consumption.
Residents and visitors can be assured that the CCRC takes food safety seriously and that the outlets in our region will be operated and maintained at the highest standards.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding food safety matters please contact council’s Environmental Services Department and ask to speak to an Environmental Health Officer.