Prohibition of animals on food premises

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - The food-trading sector is responsible for adherence to food safety management procedures at all times.

Food handling premises refers to any premises where food is being processed, either raw or unprocessed, handled, prepared, packed, displayed or served to the public in any serving area.

''The person in charge of food premises shall ensure and prevent any animal or rodent from gaining access to places where food is prepared, handled, stored or served to the public in any serving area," says Herman Pieters, Senior Communication Officer: Garden Route District Municipality.

The current regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food premises and the transport of food states the following: "A person in charge of food premises shall ensure that no animal, subject to the provisions of any law, is kept or permitted in any room or area where food is handled, except that a guide dog, who is accompanying a blind person may be permitted in the sales or serving area on the food premises," added Pieters.

No animal (including any domestic pet) is allowed at any food premises or any area where food is being served to the public, with the exemption of the above scenario.

It remains the responsibility of all food premises owners and managers to empower themselves with knowledge, in terms of their legal obligation regarding the relevant legislation and the requirements contained within the Act, to ensure general compliance of the food-trading property which they manage/operate or own.

Offences
Any person who contravenes a provision of these regulations, or allows such a contravention to take place, shall be guilty of an offence and liable for a penalty as provided for under Section 18 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act of 1972):