343 warnings issued after health inspections in shops

The Environmental Health Directorate issued notices to 343 food business operators last month, ordering them to improve their premises after surprise inspections.

In 12 cases, the department said it found structural deficiencies, improperly labelled food and other deficiencies which required specific agreements for the failings to be rectified.

Over 509kg of food and drinks were destroyed including dips (178kg), cheeses (103kg), meat products (93kg), ice lollies (89kg) and several other miscellaneous food items.

Inspectors conducted 16 audits at hotels, and other similar premises to ascertain compliance with control of Legionella .

During the same month, seven pools were inspected by the Health Inspectorate to verify compliance with Swimming Pools Regulations.

Eight schools were inspected to ensure compliance with general hygiene requirements.

During October, seven contravention notices were issued to food business operators; three in Naxxar for working without having undergone the necessary food hygiene training and operating a food business in inadequate conditions. Two people were charged in Paola, one for keeping milk at ambient temperatures and the other for breaching an order given by the Health Authority. Another two in Qormi were found to be keeping cheeslets at incorrect temperatures and breaching an undertaking.

Other people were fined for smoking inside a non-smoking area at Mater Dei Hospital; for keeping accumulations of refuse in a private residence in Gzira; for keeping internal parts of a house dirty in Birkirkara and for having improper drains in Mellieha.

Two premises were closed down - Rooms at Triq it-12 ta’ Mejju, Zebbug where horse meat was being processed illegally and the Taj Mahal Restaurant in Gzira because of unhygienic conditions.