DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 15 (MExN): The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kohima has issued a number of advisories to bakeries for maintenance of overall hygienic environment.
A press release issued by the CMO, Dr Ritu Thurr stated that all equipments should be kept clean, washed dried and stacked at the close of business to ensure freedom from growth of mould/fungi and infestation. The drainage system should be efficient and there should be adequate provisions for disposal of refuse while workers working in processing and preparation must wear clean aprons, hand gloves, head wears, facemask and food wear.
The advisory also directed that person suffering from infectious diseases shall not be permitted to work. Any cuts or wounds must remain covered at all time and the person should not be allowed to come in direct contact with food. All food handlers are to keep their finger nails trimmed, clean and wash their hands with soap or detergent and water before commencing work. All food handlers should avoid wearing loose jewellery during working period.
Further, the advisory directed vehicles used to transport foods be kept clean and Food Business Operators use food grade plastic for packaging.
A minimum of one Food Safety Display Board should be displayed in the premises. More than one can be displayed in case the outlet is big in size and the Food Safety Display Board is not visible to the consumers and food handlers, it suggested. The advisory also restricted using coloured plastic for wrapping the cake while pointing out that they are mostly not of food grade plastics. With the coming of festive season, it stated that cakes should be wrapped in food grade plastic which should be transparent so that the purchasers/consumers would be able to see the condition of the cake.
Moreover, the label should be in place identifying the name of the bakery, place, manufacturing date and best before date.
