Hanover Health Department concerned about state of some food establishments

WESTERN BUREAU

Acting Chief Public Health Inspector within the Hanover Health Department (HHD), Fritz Francis, has expressed concern about some of the establishments from which food is being served within the parish, describing them as “uncertified and uncertifiable”.

In tabling a health report in the March monthly meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC), Francis expressed concern about the number of recently set up eateries across the parish, some being operated under less than desirable health conditions.

“We are having a serious issue with some of our food establishments, and some of them are located within our townships. The space that these establishments are operating in is not conducive for the activity that they are carrying out,” Francis emphasised.

He said that of some 69 applications for the operation of food establishments which the HHD received during the month of February, 71 per cent were not recommended. He said that remedial work plans were issued to some of the operators whose establishments were not recommended, while others were given statutory notices.

He noted that besides the non-conducive operational space, most of the establishments did not have the necessary amenities within them, to satisfy public health requirements.

“These entities have implications both for the HHD and the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC),” The acting chief PHI stated, adding “these entities are reflecting negatively on our records, our food safety record is trending down because these are uncertified or uncertifiable entities”.

Francis made a request for an immediate meeting between the HHD and the HMC, to come up with a plan to curtail the number of such food establishments across the parish. He argued that the move will be with a view to have good food safety and health standards within Hanover.

The HHD is to indicate a time and date for the meeting.