In Malta we can boast of a thorough health legislation, if perhaps lacking in enforcement. We can only look and envy the Italian system, particularly where it comes to food handling and preparation and the way the law is enforced by officials with ranks at the same level as their local police.

Food handlers in Malta are required to be certified to have undergone a food handlers’ course, which covers hygiene, food production, preparation, transport and storage. This requirement appears to be obligatory, which I am sure is very acceptable to one and all.

However, one does note that there is some serious flaw, particularly in the consistency with which the law is implemented. For example, during a recent wedding reception, I was quite happy to see that the food handlers were wearing gloves but, on another occasion, food being prepared to be served was being handled with bare hands.

Nowadays, with the village feasts and sprouting food vans, one asks oneself (at least, I do) whether the operators of such catering outlets have indeed undergone the necessary courses mentioned above.

The risks get higher as these operators bring along with them their family and friends to “help” inthe serving of food and it is also not so rare to see underage children doing such work as well, with one hand handling money and the other a burger or a hot dog…

Without causing undue stress on these operators but rather ensuring an effective educational exercise, health officials may need to spend some time inspecting these operators for the good of both handlers and consumers.