1,796 kg of foodstuffs destroyed in August

1,796.47 kilograms of foodstuffs were destroyed by the Health Inspectorate in August, including 1,646 kilograms of sultanas. 

In a statement issued today, the Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health said that the foodstuffs destroyed last month included 125.87 kg of meat and poultry products, 9kg of bread, 6.6kg of cheeselets and 9kg of cheesecakes.

In addition 984 litres of ice tea were destroyed in the same month, while 1,122 pieces of plastic kitchenware were also destroyed.

Moreover, 471 improvement notices in terms of the Food Safety Act were issued to food business operators by the Health Inspectorate Services. 

During this period 132 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. 

The intention of this notice is to inform food operators about deficiencies noted in their establishments while the operator is given a specific deadline in order to rectify these deficiencies.  Though the seriousness of deficiencies might vary, legal action is initiated when major deficiencies are noted.

Furthermore, one school was inspected to ensure compliance with general hygiene requirements. Such inspections are carried out in private, government or church owned schools and whether, primary, secondary, tertiary or language or special schools.

The Health Inspectorate added that 12 adverts involving Tobacco products in breach of Tobacco (Smoking Control) Act were noticed and the respective advertiser was instructed to remove the adverts - something which was actually complied with.

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

During the month of August, 348 samples of sea water were collected and submitted to the Public Health Laboratory to be analysed for microbiological parameters. 

The bathing water monitoring programme is carried out in accordance with the provisions of said EU Directive.  The official bathing season started on the 13 May 2013 and will last till the 20 October 2013.  Sampling is carried out from 87 official bathing sites throughout the Maltese islands.