Food safety standards

All those involved in the food sector should stand up and say 'thank you' to Mr John Attard Kingswell for his valid assessment on food safety and HACCP implementation and auditing in Malta (The Sunday Times, April 1).

It is no secret that we have embarked on this mission rather late in the day when compared to other countries of Western Europe and North America. This is due to lack of proper human, technical and financial resources which usually afflict small states like ours.

However, one will not be far off the mark if one stops to appreciate Mr Attard Kingswell's pioneering efforts and his total commitment to improve all way round Malta's food safety to the point of bringing them to EU standards. His professionalism and dedication to this problem of food safety have ensured that Malta moved up in the international ladder of the sector.

Mr Attard Kingswell elucidated clearly the EU regulations on HACCP implementation and brought before the public and all laymen how these regulations are being observed and implemented in our country. All members of the public, even though they lack the knowledge to go deep into technicalities and therefore find themselves in a maze, trying to find their way between CCPs, HACCPs, PRRs and FSMSs have grasped the importance to their health in waging this battle against infection and disease.

Mr Attard Kingswell also pointed out the obvious advantages that food operators will enjoy if they implement HACCP systems seriously and professionally, as they will not only get better and well deserved publicity but also will not be liable to expenses resulting from customer illness, damage reputation, loss of trade, prosecution and business closure.

All concerned should take Mr Attard Kingswell's timely advice and seek more information on the subject from the various offices of the Department of Public Health while waiting for the launching of the department's Website.

It is high time that all our local food and beverage producers as well as hoteliers and catering establishments seek professional advice to get in line with all EU regulations and to eliminate all possible health hazards in their products.