Council Recognises Excellent Food Hygiene Practices

Auckland City is pleased to announce 17 food businesses that have been upgraded to the new Golden A grade for consistent excellence in food safety and hygiene.

Auckland City environmental health specialist, Darryl Thompson says these businesses have excellent food hygiene practices and top-rate safety systems in place to safeguard public health.

“These businesses are the best of the best for procedures of preparing and handling food safely. They have demonstrated consistent excellence and have shown that they are prepared to go the extra mile for public safety,” he says.

The following businesses now have a Golden A food grade:
• Sebastian’s Boutique Cafe and Catering, Orakei
• Goldwater Estate, Waiheke Island
• Wendy’s, Mt Eden
• Burger King, Dominion Road
• Burger King, Mt Wellington
• Barrycourt, Parnell
• Catch a Fish Takeaways, Parnell
• McDonald’s, Grey Lynn
• Wendy’s, Ellerslie
• Cock and Bull, Newmarket
• Heart of Flavour, Newmarket
• Burger King, Epsom
• Wendy’s, Royal Oak
• Burger Fuel, Parnell
• M L C Cafe and Bar, central city
• Wendy’s, central city
• Burger King, Mission Bay.

Mr Thompson says the new food grade was introduced last September along with new inspection criteria to increase standards in food businesses and reduce the number of consumers getting sick from food they purchase.

“I encourage all food businesses to strive for a Golden A because when a high standard of food hygiene practice is achieved, the likelihood of customer illness is greatly reduced,” Mr Thompson says.

Auckland City’s new grade is also a way of preparing business owners for new legislative changes from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), which could result in a compulsory national grading system.

Auckland City has strict food safety regulations and a robust grading scheme. It requires all food businesses to register with the council and have regular inspections from environmental health officers to be issued a grade.

“It is mandatory for all food businesses to display their grade in a prominent position for all customers to see and I encourage everyone to start observing what grade businesses have,” Mr Thompson says.

For more information about the council’s food safety policy and to find out what grades food premises have visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/foodsafety

ENDS

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