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Wednesday 6 May 2009, 11:07AM

By Stratford District Council

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Bob Hutchinson NZFSA, Sharyn Roberts, Jenny Bower, Wendy Kitt SDC
Bob Hutchinson NZFSA, Sharyn Roberts, Jenny Bower, Wendy Kitt SDC Credit: Stratford District Council

STRATFORD

Eating out is a treat many Stratford residents enjoy, and deciding where to go to can be difficult with so many great places to choose from. If food safety is one of the things you think about when deciding where to eat, you can now look out for a new window sticker displayed at businesses who are taking part in a new, updated food safety system.


Casa Pequena is the second eligible business in Stratford to register a Food Control Plan with NZFSA under the Voluntary Implementation Program, after the TET Multisports Centre.


The off-the-peg Food Control Plan provides a set of procedures and records to help food operators and caterers best manage food safety in their business. Operators are supplied with a folder that has sections on management, the basics, cook safe and records. Each section has sheets dealing with typical situations - each sheet has a goal, followed by explanations of why it is needed, how it could be achieved, and what to do if something goes wrong. A separate diary records daily, weekly or monthly tasks. The new system puts responsibility on the operator rather than the inspector, with the operator expected to be the expert in their field.


"There was a period of adjustment to recording but now it is a useful tool that helps to remind us when tasks are due", said owner Sharyn Roberts.


To work towards introducing Food Control Plans under the Voluntary Implementation Program in Taranaki, Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from New Plymouth District Council, Stratford District Council and South Taranaki District Council formed a Taranaki cluster. Members of the group get together regularly to share ideas and resources. Over the last twelve months all the Taranaki EHOs have been trained and appointed as Food Act Officers.


More information, including the full list of participating businesses can be found on the New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s website at www.nzfsa.govt.nz