Media Release
11 March 2008

No E grade premises in Howick

Manukau City Council’s tough stance on E grade food premises is starting to get through to food establishments.

Following recent inspections by council’s environmental health officers, no food premise in the Howick ward was issued an E grade.

A food premise graded an E is closed immediately by the council. It cannot reopen until the problems identified by health officers have been fixed.

Mayor of Manukau Len Brown says the results are fantastic for Howick’s food industry.

“This is part of our vision for a ‘clean, tidy and proud’ Manukau. The good thing is that overall there are less than two per cent of food premises in Manukau with an E grade. This is something which all of Manukau can be congratulated for.

“But the outstanding result in Howick shows that the drive to lift our game even further is working. It’s a combination of the council’s get tough stance on those premises that continue to ignore hygiene standards and the many businesses which have always maintained top notch grades.”

“The challenge now is for other communities in Manukau to lift their game and emulate Howick’s achievement.”

The council’s environmental health officers make regular visits to food premises across the city. Officers are now checking outlets in the Botany Clevedon ward. Food premises in each ward of the city are inspected twice a year.

People can check the grading of a food premise on the council's website www.manukau.govt.nz, or by phoning the council call centre on 262 5104. Complaints about a food premise should also be reported to the call centre.

ENDS

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