On the 1st of July the new Food Handling Laws came into being, and on that day we had an audit from Penrith Council.
The inspectors went trough our place with the proverbial comb and found a few items that had to be fixed.
The main items being: labeling of all lollies in the shop, fixing the insides of some of our 30 year old cupboards behind the bar and in the kitchen, the designation of a special staff toilet, (which is now the staff and disabled toilet.) The requirement for a staff toilet is; that all food handlers have to be able to wash their hands with hot water.
So, at the moment we are in the process of upgrading and fixing these items, and when last Friday an inspector came back to check up, he was satisfied with our upgrading and the way we were making progress with the requirements.
It shows again that our volunteers were and are doing a tremendous job.
As you might have heard on the news, there are already some restaurants in Penrith that have been put on the shame-list, after being fined for not complying with the law.
This new law also means that all volunteers that help with food-handling, including washing up in the kitchen, have to make sure to be up to date, and work under the right guide-lines.
I therefore would like to ask all volunteers for bar and kitchen to make sure that you adhere to the required regulations.
Required signs and information are up in the kitchen and staff toilets. And if you are not sure, just ask.
The inspectors can walk in any time, and we like to keep a clean sheet.
Your President John Joosten
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