The Central Board of Health (CBH) is concerned about numerous reports and complaints against food business operators violating hygiene standards and public food quality.
Since receiving the reports, the CBH has been working with town and city councils in order to upgrade the hygiene practices of food business operators, making them safe, hygienic and sanitary for food production.
From February, the authorised officers of the Ministry of Health Food Unit were undertaking a 10-week operation which began in the city of Suva and extended to Lami Town.
So far, 200 food industry operators have been inspected, with 59 notices issued for illegal operations, 35 abatement notices for unsanitary operations, and eight closing orders issued for noncompliance and high-risk practices. This operation is planned to extend to other council areas in the Central Division and other divisions in the country.
The CBH reminds food business operators of the Food Safety Act 2003 and Food Safety Regulations 2009, stating that failure to adhere to good hygienic practices at all stages of food production, processing, handling, storage, and distribution is an offense.
