Quality Standards For N.Z. Restaurants

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31407, 28 June 1967, Page 24

Quality Standards For N.Z. Restaurants

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, June 27. Restaurants which pass a standards test set by the New Zealand Restaurants Association will receive a certificate and plaque. The association has decided on the scheme because it is concerned at the low standard of hygiene in many places. The scheme is intended to raise standards of hygiene, service and presentation. “The standard in some restaurants is just not good enough,” said the association president, Mr Rolfe Feijen. Under the scheme, a fiveman inspection panel will visit restaurants and report back to the controlling board. The various kinds of restaurant have been divided into five categories. Each will be judged according to the standards expected of its category. Mr Feijen said that of the 200 restaurants with membership of the association, about

40 per cent would probably qualify for the award. “This is a trial run, and after the scheme has been operating for some time we will review the position,” he said. He added: “I am concerned at the standards of some restaurants and hope that this scheme will help improve matters. The worst offenders are often restaurants in small towns.” He said that although the scheme was voluntary and that restaurants would have to apply to be inspected, the board would carry out inspections at regular periods and withdraw the award if conditions deteriorated. The scheme has the support of the Health Department and is similar to ones operating in Britain, Europe and the United States

The controlling board will include the Food and Cookery Association, the Consumer Council, and an examiner of the City and Guilds examination.