Located on the northern beaches of Sydney, Manly Council is well known for its wide range of food and dining experiences. However, with food poisoning one of the highest, non communicable and preventable illnesses prevalent in the western world today, Council has developed the Manly Food Safety Awareness program to ensure dining is safe and enjoyable for residents and visitors.
Launched in April by television chef, ‘Fast’ Ed Halmagyi, Council’s innovative program aims to help local food service businesses comply with the most stringent food safety standards and legislative requirements. It includes the Manly Restaurants Complete Guide to Food Safety, Food Safety Awareness courses and a Starfish ratings program.
The Guide to Complete Food Safety is an informative, yet simple ‘one stop’ resource containing information on the basics of food safety, cleanliness and hygiene practices. It provides clear information on legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as reducing the possibility of food poisoning by ensuring correct temperature controls and cleaning and sanitising techniques. The guide also contains advice on best practice management techniques in areas such as fitting out food premises, safe storage and handling of food and pest control.
In addition, it includes food safety posters, fact sheets, record logs for use within the food premises, environmental tips and details of further resources available. A CD containing electronic copies of all the information in the guide and a quick quiz designed to test people’s knowledge of food safety, cleanliness and hygiene is also included.
The Starfish ratings program is designed to recognise, reinforce and reward local food service businesses that implement the fundamentals of food safety, cleanliness and hygiene awareness. Businesses will be inspected and assessed annually by Council’s Environmental Health Officer, and will receive a rating from 1 to 5 ‘Starfish’.
Each business will commence the inspection on 100 points and points will be deducted based on the severity and nature of the issue, for items which do not demonstrate high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and/or hygiene. Businesses need to demonstrate compliance with Food Safety Standards codes, effective temperature control, an effective and adopted cleaning and sanitation schedule, effective pest control/vermin proofing and protection, as well as high levels of food handling knowledge and skills and attendance at a recent food hygiene course.
Starfish rating certificates will be provided to each business shortly after their inspection and businesses will be encouraged to prominently display them.
Manly Mayor, Dr Peter Macdonald, said a successful and vibrant network of food outlets is good for business and good for the community.
“It is therefore important that we protect our well earned reputation as a provider of high quality dining and the Manly Food Safety Awareness program aims to do this,” he said.
For further information on the Manly Food Safety Awareness program contact Council’s Communication Office on (02) 9976 1521.
