24 May 2001

Food premises are now required to display their food-grading certificate in a conspicuous place giving consumers a lot more food for thought when they buy.

Manukau City Council issues food and hygiene certificates every six months and premises are graded A to E depending on a list of criteria that must be met.

Ian Milnes, team leader for environmental health, says Council’s decision to make it compulsory to prominently display grading certificates will ultimately lift food hygiene standards in the City.

“This decision gives customers a more informed choice about the food premise they choose to shop at. “

Under the Food Hygiene Regulations (1974) food premises are measured against a checklist of 32 points. Premises that are given an A-grade have less than four faults indicating a high level of food and hygiene practise.

Mr Milne says the six monthly grading certificates represent a snap shot of the food premise, however, after a while customers will be able to identify those premises that consistently receive an A grade.

“We want to encourage and reward all food premises to operate within a high standard. In this regard we see the role of the consumer as the enforcer through freedom of choice,” says Mr Milne.

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