New Directorate to Control Foods in Restaurants, Hotels, Others

Food Standards Unit to constitute the Food Standards, Quality and Hygiene Enforcement Directorate (FSQHE), the newly created directorate has been relocated to the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) for it is prudent for the (NPHL) to interface with this directorate to ensure coherence in the enforcement of food standards, quality and hygiene.

This, according to the release, will enable the Department of State for Health & Social Welfare to carry out the mandate accorded to it by the Food Act 2005 in a more effective and efficient manner.

"All food vendors, food handlers, restaurant owners, hoteliers, heads of food establishments and the general public are hereby informed that the existing Food Hygiene & Safety Unit is being merged with the newly created Food Standards Unit to constitute the Food Standards, Quality and Hygiene Enforcement Directorate (FSQHE)", the release added.

Agents under this directorate henceforth shall also be responsible for assuring food hygiene, food safety and sanitation in hospitals and clinics, food establishments and premises, including markets and streets. It will also be responsible for the control of meat, poultry, milk and other processed or unprocessed foods of plant or animal origin after postmortem inspections, including those in markets and groceries.

"The new directorate shall also be responsible for the control of exports and imports of poultry, animals and products of animal origin, including milk and shall be effected in conjunction with authorized officers at the ports of entry. Responsible for the certification of food businesses and all other certification pertaining to food including food handler's certificates", the release further stated, while seeking the cooperation of all stakeholders and the general public in executing their duties.