BEAUFORT: There are 136 food premises comprising 109 restaurants or food outlets, 22 statistic stalls and five bakeries in areas under the Beaufort District Council (MDB) jurisdiction, which include the areas of Membakut, Weston and Gadong.
Of these, 52 premises have received an A grade, while 84 premises have received a B grade based on cleanliness for food and drink.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The grading of restaurants is important to reassure customers, especially restaurant patrons, about the overall level of cleanliness,” said MDB Executive Officer Mohd Ainol Mohd Dun when contacted by Daily Express on Tuesday.
On the same day, MDB has presented certificates to several food and drink premises in Beaufort Square as recognition that their premises are clean and comply with the regulations set by the Health Unit.
SPONSORED CONTENT How Spritzer’s silica rich natural mineral water makes your skin healthier When it comes to skincare, the first thought on our minds would be beauty products such as serums, creams, and masks. However, beauty experts and even researchers have stated that drinking more water can be just as crucial for your skin's health. Read more Mohd Ainol explained that among the requirements assessed during the grading of food premises include that the owner must possess a health card that is still valid (valid for one year after the health examination), take the anti-typhoid vaccination (valid until the date specified by the doctor on the health card), hold a food handling certificate and wear a head covering.
In addition, all staff are required to wear clean aprons, ensure their nails are short and clean, refrain from wearing jewellery on their hands, wear shoes and ensure that food and drinks are covered and protected from contamination.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Food and drink premises must also ensure that waste is placed in covered bins, that both the inside and outside of the business are kept clean and dry, and that all business utensils and equipment are neatly organised and placed in appropriate areas.”
Mohd Ainol also emphasised that the storage areas for raw materials and food must always be kept clean and orderly, and that ice used for drinks must not be mixed with other food items to avoid cross-contamination.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Customers will be more confident if the premises providing the food are cleaner, not only with respect to the preparation of food and drinks but also the premises they use,” he said.
There are many other requirements to be adhered to, including ensuring that the surroundings are clean and that no smoking signs are provided.
Among the criteria for auditing and star rating public toilets include having a clean water supply, adequate ventilation and lighting in the toilets, and ensuring that the toilets are cleaned and maintained properly. Facilities such as flushing systems, sinks, taps, bidets and others must also be functioning correctly.
They must also provide adequate covered bins for toilet needs, and ensure that the ceiling, floor, and walls of the toilet are clean and not broken, damaged, or cracked.
Premises owners are also required to carry out periodic and scheduled toilet cleaning activities, and to have clear signs/notices, as well as providing additional supplies such as air fresheners, mirrors, natural decorations and vector control.
MDB will carry out grading to determine whether the premises will receive an A, B or C grade, which will ultimately provide confidence to their customers.