MORE than 1,000 people have achieved training awards in food safety in the last five years in a bid to meet new legislative requirements.
The Department of Food Environment and Agriculture (DEFA) said that since 1984 it has been delivering regular food hygiene training courses to the food industry and in the last five years alone, the Department’s Environmental Health Officers have successfully trained over 1000 people to the level 2 award in food safety.
DEFA said in a statement, “Many of these have been individuals whose first language is not English, coming from 30 different countries, including from throughout the European Union, Africa, Asia and South America, have attended food hygiene courses.
“In some instances the teaching material and exam papers have had to be supplied in the person’s native language to ensure understanding.”
Ivan Bratty, the department’s food safety manager, said, “Since the introduction of the new Food Hygiene Regulations in 2007, which made food hygiene training a compulsory requirement for food handlers, members of the Food Safety Unit have worked tirelessly to ensure the Island’s food industry meets the requirements of the legislation”.
Member for the Department’s Environment Directorate, Mrs Brenda Cannell, said, “One of the most successful and cost effective methods of reducing the risk of food poisoning is to ensure that all staff receive comprehensive training in the aspects of hygiene relating to their work. Well trained and informed staff are essential in every food establishment”.
