Food outlets test new grade system

Eateries will soon be forced to display health and safety gradings on their premises when the new food legislation comes in to law next year.

But that shouldn't be a problem for the 91 New Plymouth CBD operators who have all passed the mark during the recent grading trial.

At present, grading for food premises is not compulsory but will be when a national grading system comes into law early next year. It will also shift responsibility for food safety from the government to food business operators.

Food premises grading is currently done by only 25 of the 61 district councils throughout New Zealand with Stratford District Council being the only local council involved.

Co-owner of Crowded House, Butler's Reef and Stumble Inn Kerry Simeon says while the new bill will encourage better food safety practices it will make more work for operators.

"It's a typical government thing to provide more work for us and less work for them," Mr Simeon says.

"I do think it's a good idea as long as it is policed consistently by the department which makes it a fair playing field for everyone."

Owner operator of Table @ Nice Terry Parkes agrees, saying the new rules will be beneficial but will be difficult for small-time operators.

"The ones who are serious about food and doing it properly will be able to do it but the ones who are just dabbling in it, that aren't diligent, I think it will be more detrimental to them," Mr Parkes says.

He says the new food bill requirements will cost owners more money which may be reflected in prices for the consumer. "It involves more work for the chefs, so often you have to employ someone extra to take care of these new laws but in saying that I think it's going to sort out the cowboys."

The new grading system will give people more confidence in eating out, Mr Parkes says.

In the lead-up to the introduction of the new food bill, the New Zealand Food and Safety Authority had six councils participating in the National Grading Project Trial. New Plymouth, along with Napier City and Upper Hutt City, was trialling one of the potential national grade cards. Blenheim, Christchurch and Queenstown are trialling a second card design.

- © Fairfax NZ News