Top food safety awards served up
Published Wednesday, 29 August 2012
The Brunchbox Takeaway in Hamilton and three primary schools in East Kilbride have scooped national eat safe awards.
They all passed the food safety hygiene test with flying colours, scooping the Food Standards Agency's 'Eat Safe' food hygiene award.
Responsible for the day to day operation of the Brunchbox in High Blantyre Road, Hamilton, is Business Operator, Michael Devine.
Michael has worked in the catering industry for 16 years and the Brunchbox for the past 12 years. The takeaway uses local suppliers for its produce and has four permanent members of staff.
In addition to the Brunchbox, three East Kilbride Primary Schools have also attained the award. The Cook's in Charge at Canberra Primary, Our Lady of Lourdes and Kirktonholme Primary have, collectively, 83 years of experience in catering in an education environment.
And they, together with their staff, have worked diligently to pass the food safety hygiene test for an 'Eat Safe' award with flying colours. The staff here provides nutritionally balanced lunches for over 500 hundred children every week.
The Food Standards Agency grants 'Eat Safe' awards to commercial kitchens and catering establishments - whether a snack bar, a major hotel or a school catering unit - which prepare food in conditions which exceed those required by legislation.
It also helps consumers make informed choices about where to eat out by providing a recognisable 'sign' of excellence in standards of food hygiene.
The scheme was launched a few years ago by the Food Standards Agency to improve public confidence and consumer choice in catering establishments throughout Scotland and there are now many premises across South Lanarkshire who have obtained the award.
The Brunchbox and the school catering units were recommended to the Food Standards Agency for the 'Eat Safe' award by the council's Environmental Health team which monitors and inspects catering establishments to ensure they are safe and hygienic to dine in.
Councillor Hamish Stewart, the chair of Community Services Committee said: "Our Environmental Health team were delighted to nominate the Brunchbox and the three primary school catering units for this award as they operate to a high standard of hygiene which is at the level we would ideally like all commercial kitchens in South Lanarkshire to achieve.
"The team provides training and support for staff to enable the establishments to be put forward for this award. All are to be congratulated for the hard work and effort put in by their staff to achieve this impressive standard of excellence in food hygiene."
