Our food safety matters
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 240 Views |
We commend the GCC inspectors for their vigilance in uncovering serious hygiene violations at establishments like Pick 'n Pay (South Ring Mall), Bravo Restaurant (Main Mall), Chicken Twist (Bonnington), Spar (Main Mall Bakery and Butchery), Choppies Butchery, Pie Time, and Fours Bakery. Their decisive action which includes temporary closures, confiscation of unsafe food, and laying charges sends a powerful, necessary message: food safety is non-negotiable.
The pattern revealed by these cases is deeply concerning. Repeatedly, inspectors found employees handling food without appropriate protective equipment (PPE) or valid medical certificates of fitness. Premises were described as unsanitary, unhygienic, and in some instances, lacked even basic necessities like running water (Chicken Twist). Poor waste handling and sub-standard food storage practices were also common charges. The sheer volume of condemned produce, like the thousands of bread items at Fours Bakery, highlights the scale of the risk averted. This isn't minor negligence; it's a fundamental failure in the duty of care these businesses owe to their customers.
More than P8.1 million has already been spent, yet there appears to be no lasting solution in sight. This is not simply a dispute between the DIS and a group of officers. It is a matter of public accountability. Every pula spent by government comes from taxpayers who expect public funds to be used wisely and responsibly, especially during economic hardships faced by many.The officers exercised their constitutional right to seek justice through...