Media Release 24 July 2003

Impressive Grades for Papatoetoe Food Premises

Manukau City Council Environmental Health Officers carrying out food hygiene inspections recorded impressive results for Papatoetoe food premises last month.

The percentage of "A" grades has risen from 86% to 92% in the last six months. "B" grades are 5% (down 1% from 6%). There was a significant improvement in "D" and "E" grades, both at 1.5% (down from 3% and 5% respectively).

Since the last city-wide six monthly round of food hygiene inspections, the city's total "A" grades increased 8.4% (929 up from 857). "E" grades decreased by a massive 40% (91-55).

Environmental Health Team Leader, Ian Milnes says, "Council is extremely pleased with the improvement in food grades over the last six months, not only in Papatoetoe Ward but throughout Manukau. It is great to see food premises owners making such a wonderful effort to maintain hygiene standards.

"The result also reinforces the decision by Council to make public the food grading certificates for the 1100 food premises in Manukau City and to make it compulsory for food premises to prominently display their certificate," says Mr Milnes.

Papatoetoe food premises owners join Manurewa Ward (92%) and Pakuranga Ward (92.5%) at the top of the scale for food hygiene grading in Manukau City.

The Food Grading Certificate List is available on Council's website www.manukau.govt.nz at local libraries or by calling Council's 24x7 Call Centre 262 5104.

The certificates are A4 sized, printed in colour and with the rating figure displayed prominently in large print.

GRADES ACHIEVED - PAPATOETOE WARD

Total food premises Papatoetoe Ward = 149

A grade = 137 (92% up from 86%)
B grade = 8 (5% down from 6%)
D grade = 2 (1.5% down from 3%
E grade = 2 (1.5% down from 5%)

ENDS

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