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Tough new laws to ensure you get clean food
View(s):By Chandani Kirinde
New regulations dealing with food hygiene will make it mandatory for food handlers – people handling food or related items to be certified fit by a Medial Officer registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. They will also need to undergo medical examinations periodically as long as they are employed as food handlers, according to regulations that will be taken up for debate in Parliament shortly.
A food handler has been defined as any person who directly handles packaged or unpackaged food, food equipment and utensils or food contact surfaces. The regulations were presented to Parliament by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday. They lay down strict rules for location of food establishment, processing, selling and handling of food.
The regulations will prohibit the location of food manufacturing and food processing establishments in environmentally polluted areas. Areas subject to flooding and infestation by pests and areas where waste material cannot be effectively removed cannot be used for food related activities. Buildings in which food establishments are located will also have to follow strict rules. Floors, walls working surfaces, ceilings, doors and windows and drains will have to be constructed in these buildings in a manner to ensure the highest standard of cleanliness.
Living quarters, toilets and areas where animals are kept will have to be completely separated from food handling areas. The new regulations under the Food Act will also apply to equipment and utensils used in the preparation of food.The food handlers will also need to wear protective clothing such as head coverings, gloves, masks and footwear.
They are also prohibited from wearing any personal effects if they pose a threat to the safety and suitability of food. The managers of food establishments will need to ensure that effective procedures are in place to deal with any hazards to food safety. The regulations also lay down special rules for processing meat and fish products.
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