An operation aimed at cracking down on food safety breaches nationwide has resulted in 59 notices being issued to businesses operating without a proper health licence, 35 establishments served abatement notices for unsanitary conditions, and eight facing closure orders.
The Central Board of Health stated these violations have been recorded in a 10-week operation that was initially launched in the Central Division, and which has now expanded to cover Lami Town.
The board said in a statement inspections were conducted in various establishments including retail shops, bakeries, takeaways and supermarkets, and that the recorded violations included non-hygienic practices and the poor quality of food sold to the public.
The statement read the enforcement operation was slated to extend to other council areas within the Central Division and subsequently to other divisions nationwide.
It stated food businesses found in breach of standards risked facing legal repercussions without warning.
The board reminded food operators of their legal obligations to follow hygienic practices at all stages of food production — processing, handling, storage and distribution — and that non-compliance could result in prosecution under the Food Safety Act 2003.
