Alternative Media Group

Stars for food safety

Author:

Josephine Kwan

Posted:

Friday, 27 January 2012

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The state’s food authority is looking to enlist more restaurants for its trialed food safety rating system.

Since the Scores on Doors scheme was relaunched in August, only one fifth of the 125 councils in NSW have opted for the voluntary program, amounting to about 300 participating food businesses.

The one-year trial for Scores on Doors involves unannounced council inspections of establishments and the issuing of certificates with one to five stars for their safety and hygiene standards.

In the City of Sydney Council area, only 56 of its 2,000 food businesses signed up for the scheme and 48 received 5-star ratings.

Acting Health Inspection Manager of City of Sydney Council, Neil Williamson, said the existing participation rate was low, but the Council hopes to get more businesses on board by adopting a different approach.

“Now we actually do the inspection scores and then give [businesses] a chance to sign up afterwards,” Mr Williamson said. “So from that point of view, there is no risk; they know what their score is.”

“Furthermore, our Scores on Doors scheme will help to reward businesses that meet the food safety standards by giving them a way to show their customers how well they have performed,” he said.

Golden Century Restaurant received a 5-star Scores on Doors rating. Owner Eric Wong said the scheme benefitted customers and also empowered his management staff to uphold hygiene standards.

“My manager now has the standard to tell the staff why we need to do something … it is much easier for the management,” Mr Wong said.

He said the scheme should remain voluntary because some restaurants may not yet have the system, management staff and sufficient facilities in place to meet the required standards.

The Authority’s summary report for 2010-11 indicated 2,202 of the 38,475 food businesses inspected by local councils were in breach of the Food Code.

The overall compliance rate increased by 2 per cent to 94.2 per cent and there was a significant drop in penalty notices compared to the previous 12-month period.

Acting CEO of the NSW Food Authority, Peter Sutherland, said improved compliance was due to education, intervention and support in addition to existing enforcement actions available to local councils.

“We’re expecting that the introduction of the Food Safety Supervisors initiative will raise food safety skills and knowledge, and in turn further lift compliance rates,” Mr Sutherland said.

Since October, new food legislation has required restaurants, cafes, takeaways, pubs and clubs to have at least one trained food safety supervisor.

By Josephine Kwan
 

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