More than 1,260 kilograms of food was destroyed by the Health Inspectorate in January.

This included:

• 968.1kg of frozen bakersware and 12.04kg of sugar confectionery due to recalls;
• 199kg various meat products and 1kg cannelloni Siciliani due to lack of traceability;
• 31.8kg smoothies, 15.3kg sauces, 8.5kg ice cream, fresh strawberries 4.4kg since these were unfit for human consumption;
• 10kg of bacon due lack of traceability and risk of contamination;
• 3.4kg of tea due to unauthorised health claims; and
• 14.36kg of various grocery items;

The Environmental Health Directorate said that four contraventions were issued/processed by the Health Inspectorate, three of which were related to food safety issues:

• One bar for exposing food to risk of contamination, failed to provide adequate washing facilities, lack of pest proofing, and improper sanitary convenience;
• One band club for not abiding with an undertaking entered into earlier on;
• One retailer for not implementing a HACCP system, for possessing foods with a lapsed use by date.; and

One was environmental health related:

• A residence for keeping drainage irregularities.

A total 398 complaints were lodged with the directorate.

The inspectorate can be contacted at Continental Business Centre, Cutrico Buildings, Old Railway Track, Santa Venera between 7am and 3pm, tel: 2133 7333, e-mail complaints.ph@gov.mt .