Ten illegal tobacco ads removed by Health Services in May

Ten illegal tobacco related adverts and two illegal tattoo adverts were removed in May, according to the periodic report on activities carried out by the Health Inspectorate Services within the Environmental Health Directorate.

The report said 10 adverts involving tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes in breach of the Tobacco (Smoking Control) Act were noticed on local sites and the respective advertisers and webmasters were instructed to remove such adverts.

Two adverts of tattoo equipment were also noted to be contravention of the Control of Tattooing Act.

The report also stated that in May, over 105kg of foodstuffs were destroyed by the Health Inspectorate. These included 56.4kg of meat and poultry, 11kg of vegetables and 15.7kg of confectionery.

A total of 3072 (610kg) melamine plates were also destroyed during the month.

Meanwhile, 501 improvement notices in terms of article 33 of the Food Safety Act were issued to food business operators by the Health Inspectorate Services.  During this period 56 improvement notices were also issued to open market stalls.

An improvement notice is sent to all food business operators following an unannounced inspection by Environmental Health Officers within their establishment. 

This notice informs food operators about deficiencies noted in their establishments. The operator is given a specific deadline by which to rectify these deficiencies.  Though the seriousness of deficiencies might vary, legal action is initiated when major deficiencies are noted.

Thirteen schools were inspected to ensure compliance with general hygiene requirements. Inspections are carried out in private, government or church owned-schools and cover primary, secondary, tertiary, language and special schools.

The Health Inspectorate received 95 requests to process applications to operate food and non-food business.  Prospective operators who wish to open such businesses are obliged to apply for a permit with Mepa and then apply for the licence with the relevant authority. 

A total of 1978 control cards for narcotic and psychotropic substances (776 males and 1202 females) were issued by the Drug Control Unit. Out of these, 218 were new applications.

These cards are issued when a doctor deems a person needs to be prescribed a psychotropic drug. An application form is filled in and handed over to the patient which is in turn submitted to the Drug Control Unit.

Sixteen ship sanitation certificates were issued by the Port Health Services. These inspections involve the assessment of the general hygienic conditions and control measures undertaken on ships.

Other work carried out in May included 12 Legionella audits, the inspection of 33 swimming pools, inspection of 55 consignments of imported food and 15 citations processed, among others.