McDonald's gets tick for hygiene compliance

An environmental health officer yesterday visited McDonald's in Invercargill amid allegations of unhygienic practices at the family restaurant.

Invercargill City Council environmental health principal officer Tony Dowson said the inspection was a result of a complaint about McDonald's on Wednesday afternoon.

The health officer had found "nothing of serious consequence ... but there were minor issues", Mr Dowson said.

They centred on the cleaning of the business and a reminder for staff to follow their own procedures to wear gloves, which wasn't a law of the land, he said.

"We will continue to monitor the premises, but we will continue to monitor all food premises, he said.

McDonald's hygiene practices had been "fine" in the past.

"We have had no major hygiene problems with them at all. It appears there are strained industrial relations at this premises which may be behind some of the allegations, but we still investigate the matter and are satisfied to have no major health issues to address." The timing of the council investigation coincided with a long-term Invercargill McDonald's employee early yesterday approaching The Southland Times to voice various concerns, including hygiene standards at the restaurant.

McDonald's New Zealand spokeswoman Kate Porter said the company took its responsibility to its 7500 staff nationwide seriously and food safety and quality was paramount to its business.

"We have stringent health, safety and hygiene protocols, and every restaurant is also regularly monitored by external agencies. I understand the Invercargill restaurant was actually visited (yesterday) by the health department, and everything was found to be in order," she said.

She encouraged employees to raise any concerns with Invercargill franchisee Trevor Rogan or head office in Auckland, which had not been done in this case, she said.

"Every grievance is thoroughly investigated." An employee and former employee on Wednesday told The Southland Times some school-aged staff had worked 23-hour shifts at McDonald's in Invercargill. Ms Porter said those claims would be investigated when the complaint was received in the mail.

- © Fairfax NZ News