Inspectorate warns 456 food businesses of deficiencies

456 notices were issued to food businesses last month warning them to about deficiencies found in their establishments after unannounced inspections, the Public Health Regulation Division said today.

They were given target dates within which to remedy these deficiencies.

Almost 150kg of poultry and lamb products were destroyed under the supervision of the Health Inspectorate as they originated from unauthorized establishments. Another 598 bottles and cans of drinks were destroyed due to irregular labelling.

During the same month, three emergency control orders were issued to food business operators to stop part of their activities after they were found to be storing, processing, or packing meat such as poultry products in unauthorized premises.

Fifty-five complaints related to food safety were lodged with the Department during this month, 37 of which were lodged anonymously, but were still investigated.

The most frequent complaint was with respect to improper labelling of food; 12 complainants reporting this matter, followed by alleged risk of contamination (9 complaints), eight on alleged unhygienic conditions. The rest of the complaints were related to fitness, storage of food, personal malpractices, and similar food related complaints.

The Health Inspectorate Services can be contacted between 7:30am and 3:30pm on telephone number 21337333, by calling personally at its offices at 37/39, Rue D'Argens, Msida or by email complaints.ph@gov.mt