Food outlets to be ‘crowned’
Patrons of catering establishments in Colombo can now look for the
number of ‘Crowns’ when choosing a food outlet which maintains good
hygienic practices when preparing and handling food.
The number of ‘Crowns’ displayed within the premises of the outlets
would be an indicator of the level of prevailing hygienic practices of
the outlet when preparing food.
Seventeen food outlets in Colombo would be awarded ‘Crowns’ on
Tuesday according to their level of hygienic practices, during the
launch of this new grading system for food catering and handling
establishments, called the ‘Crowns for Food Hygiene’.
“Crowns for food Hygiene” is a voluntary scheme for the restaurant
and catering sector. The objective of the program is to encourage food
catering establishments to practise safer food hygienic practices with
continuous enhancement of hygienic conditions in their establishments
and thereby offer safer food to their patrons. This will also benefit
the establishment with more patronizing their outlets.
Business chambers, including the Ceylon National Chamber of
Industries (CNCI) and National Chamber of Exporters of Sir Lanka (NCE),
joins hands with Ind-Expo Certification (Pvt) Ltd with the assistance of
the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to
support the Colombo Municipal Council to improve hygienic conditions of
food establishments within the City of Colombo. The venture is funded by
the Royal Norwegian Government.
Under the Scheme five crowns indicate the top grading of excellent,
four would be very good with three crowns awarded for good, two for fair
and one for poor.
Food hygienic practices in each of the food catering establishments
who voluntary applies to obtain ‘Crowns’ under the scheme would be
assessed by a team of Auditors from CMC and Ind-Expo Certification (Pvt)
Ltd. Based on the assessment an expert panel would determine the number
of ‘Crowns’ to be awarded.
The areas of assessment under the scheme are Management systems,
structure & cleaning, training and supervision of food handlers and
hygienic practices.
‘Crowns’ so awarded would be valid for a year. Establishments have to
re-apply at the end of the validity period
However, if ‘Crown’ awarded establishments do not maintain their high
standards ‘Crowns’ will be removed or changed accordingly.
Initially the program is to be implemented in the Colombo district
with plans to extend it to other districts from next year onwards.
The organizers believe that the new scheme would strengthen
standards, but also create awareness for food safety and good health
practices in the establishments. The establishments will be able to
follow internationally accepted best practices and will also be
benefited from the provided assistance, technical support and world
class training on food safety and hygiene.Under the new scheme customer
access to information has been enhanced to let them make an informed
choice about where to eat in their area.
More details could be obtained at www.crowns.lk
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