Food safety a crucial part of Games
Food safety at the Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games will be of a high standard as caterers, servers and other food handlers will be following strict guidelines.
About 30 representatives from the catering companies attended food safety training on 5 June, run by the Health Protection and Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Health.
With a month to go until about 5,000 athletes plus officials arrive from 24 countries, Assistant Chief Executive Officer Mae’e Ualesi Silva said it was crucial to have the training.
Thousands of meals will be served daily at various venues, including the Games Village, Faleula.
"It is very crucial [to have the training] because it is going to be a huge gathering. And food is an essential requirement for everyone. In order to have food of a good quality and well prepared, the handlers, preparers and caterers need to be trained and aware of the requirements," she said.
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All food handlers are required to have a health check and typhoid surveillance check before the Games and they will then be issued with a health card to verify that they are safe to handle food.
The training emphasised the importance of following the "five keys to safer food" as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Five keys to safer food
- Keep clean
- Separate raw and cooked
- Cook thoroughly
- Keep food at safe temperatures
- Use safe water and raw materials
There are also workplace catering guidelines, such as washing fruit and vegetables well, and keeping food covered before serving.
Compliance with Samoa’s Food Act 2015 and Food Regulations 2017, plus other standards, currently stands at 90%-96%, based on ministry records. The aim for the Games is 100% compliance, Mae’e said.
"I am confident [athletes and volunteers] will be served safe food. Ministry of Health staff will be monitoring at all venues, including enforcement staff allocated to the eating venues to be sure the food that is prepared and served is of a good quality. We will be there to advise caterers."
She added: "We are very cautious and we are very careful with training so that everyone gets the message across."
