Control plans help to keep food safe

From City Scene, published on 26 July, 2009.

Mayor John Banks, Andrew McKenzie and Otahuhu Ethnic Food Court business owners and staff.

Celebrating: Otahuhu Ethnic Food Court celebrate being the first NZ food court to have full participation in the plan. Mr Banks and NZFSA's Andrew McKenzie were on hand to mark the occasion last week.

Auckland City Council has registered the 500th food business to opt into the voluntary food control plan programme. The scheme, which aims to prevent foodborne illness in New Zealand, runs in conjunction with the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA).

The voluntary plan promotes best practice food hygiene, with guidance and information for small to medium-sized eateries. To complement this, the council offers free short workshops with business owners, followed by onsite mentoring and coaching on a one-to-one basis.

"Auckland excels in being able to offer a range of eateries that reflect the diversity of our community," says Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks - who recently met with businesses and customers at the Otahuhu Ethnic Food Court.

"Local eateries have been responding in excellent numbers to this food safety programme and our environment health officers are doing a great job promoting this scheme."

Oasis Tan, a juice bar in Otahuhu Ethnic Food Court, was the 500th business to sign up. They, along with the nine other food court eateries, signed up to the programme after being impressed with the concept of the plan - and to be the first food court in the country to have 100 per cent sign up.

Of the 500-plus businesses to have taken up the plan across the country, half have been signed through Auckland City Council.

For more information visit the Food grading search section online.

Foodborne illness facts

There are 200,000 cases of foodborne illness, costing the economy an estimated $5 million each year.
Food control plans aim to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness by helping operators take responsibility for producing safe food.

Consumers can choose a business with a food control plan by looking for the "serious about food safety" window sticker.