FOOD PREMISES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21850, 22 October 1945, Page 2

FOOD PREMISES

STANDARD GOOD

PROTECTING HEALTH

INSPECTOR'S VIEWS

“Gisborne has for many years enjoyed a good reputation inasfar as the standard of its food premises are concerned,” commented the borough sanitary inspector, Mr. A. D. Denham, when asked by a Herald reporter how the trade was endeavouring to meet health requirements.

“Even during the war years when proprietors were faced with staffing and other problems every effort was made to maintain a decent standard so far as cleanliness was concerned," he said.

The eating houses in Gisborne are, compared with the main centres, run on small lines and in every case are directly supervised by the proprietor and with this personal supervision and constant inspection by inspectors. the public is assured that the cleanliness of food served in public places in Gisborne is well cared for. Little Room for Criticism

Thus, Mr. Denham said, whilst the management of eating houses, particularly in the main centres, has recently come in for a fair. amount of' criticism, the criticism in the main could not be levelled against public eating houses in Gisborne. An inspection of several kitchens in the town was made by the reporter . ’in company with the inspector. The methods for handling foods and'utensils left little room for complaint and r/onditions compared favourably with the management of a typical home kitchen. .....

Most of the public dining places m Gisborne are located in brick of concrete buildings and appear to be surprisingly free of signs of rats, mice, flies and cockroaches.

Cracked or chipped china and glassware in eating houses lately,has been the subject of considerable newspaper, comment in other places, Mr. Denham said that during the war period, through inability to' obtain replace- . ments, the proprietors had been forced to use drinking utensils which were in some cases dangerous. Supplies Available “However, supplies are now available, although in somewhat limited quantities, and steps are being taken to see that these articles are brought up to a decent standard,” he said. "Cracked or chipped china and glassware cannot be effectively cleansed and can be the means -of transmitting bacterial infection and - the public therefore should report instances where they have cause for 'j complaint regarding the standard: of, crockery, particularly drinking Utenr sils,' used in public places,” Mr. Den-v-,; ham declared. .. ; o dw The public itself is at fault in public's;' eating health matters. As the result.rfj of numerous complaints received bJT the Health Department and Mr. Denr-o ham regarding the handling by members of the public in cafe«', ;< j terias, notices have been erected .in,,.) these premises in the borough request-,.., ing persons to refrain from handling '” food which they do not intend purchasiqg. The picking over ' of - Cakes and sandwiches by members of the public is, from the health point of view, dangerous.