The Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health said that it is making every effort to keep its contact with the public through a monthly review statement. The Directorate’s administration would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for its cooperation.

The following is a summary of some activities undertaken by the Environmental Health Directorate during 2012 including a report issued by the Health Inspectorate Services for the month of December, 2012.

The following is a summary of the report hereunder:

o 232 improvement notices were issued during this month, totalling over 6,200 for 2012;

o 2 HACCP audits carried out, out of a total of 18 audits during 2012;

o 8 undertakings were issued last month out of a total of over 150 for 2012;

o 49,225kg of foodstuffs were destroyed, amounting to over 91 tonnes in 2012;

o 4 Legionella audits carried out of a total of 117 in 2012;

o 7 swimming pools were inspected during 5 audits. 206 pools were inspected in 76 audits throughout 2012;

o 28 new pools were registered in 2012;

o 7 schools inspected out of a total of 196 during 2012;

o 5 new private water suppliers registered in 2012;

o 10 abatement notices issued out of a total of 127 notices last year;

o 28 food consignments imported were inspected; a total of 543 for last year;

o 1644 notification for importing/trading food into Malta totalling 25,398 notifications in 2012;

o 22 Ship Sanitation certificates issued, out of a total of 262;

o 1109 control cards issued amounting to over 22,000 in 2012;

o 14 illegal tobacco adverts which totalled 503 adverts during last year;

o 2 illegal tattoo adverts out of 12 adverts in 2012;

o 90 applications were processed out of a total of over 1100 applications;

o 161 samples elevated and analysed. Over 5,400 samples elevated last year;

o 14 products were recalled throughout 2012;

o 12 citations issued/processed out of a total of 140 contraventions;

o 33 cases were decided in court out of 142 cases in the last quarter. 133 cases were decided totally last year out of 518 cases;

o 29 operators were instructed to stop a food related activity last year; none were reported in December;

o 2 premises were closed down;

o 336 complaints lodged with the Health Inspectorate out of a total of over 6,200 complaints.

Detailed Report

Improvement Notices Issued to Food Business Operators

232 improvement notices in terms of article 33 of the Food Safety Act have been issued to food business operators by the Health Inspectorate Services. During this year, over 6,200 improvement notices were issued.

This notice is sent to all food business operators following an unannounced inspection by Environmental Health Officers within their establishment. The intention of this notice is to inform food operators about deficiencies noted in their establishments while the operator is given a specific deadline by when the deficiencies need to be remedied. Though the seriousness of deficiencies might vary, legal action is initiated when major deficiencies are noted.

HACCP Audits

2 HACCP audits were carried out during December from a total of 18 audits during last year. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point is a Food Safety Management System which is obligatory in all food businesses.

Undertakings

During December, 8 undertakings were entered into by the Health Inspectorate, four were food related and concerned hygiene of food premises and on improperly labelled food. Four were public health related and involved Legionella control and pool safety. Throughout 2012, over 150 undertakings were entered into by the Health Authority.

Undertakings are legal agreements between the commercial operators and the Health Authority specifying deadlines by when deficiencies in their premises should be remedied or to re-label products in compliance with standing legislation. Failure to abide with the agreed deadlines results in Court proceedings being initiated.

Destruction of Food

In December, over 49,225kg of different foodstuffs were destroyed by the Health Inspectorate, ranging from:

· 49,200kg of oranges due to presence of moulds;

· 20kg of frozen foods due to lapsed durability date and lack of traceability;

· 5kg of confectionery for failing to declare allergens

Throughout this year, over 91 tonnes of foodstuffs was destroyed under the supervision of the Health Inspectorate. This is an increase of over 50 tonnes when compared to the previous year.

Legionella Audits and Pool Inspections

4 audits at Hotels, and other similar premises to ascertain compliance with Control of Legionella Regulations, 2006 (L.N. 5 of 2006) and the Registration of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations, 2006 (L.N. 6 of 2006) were performed by the Health Inspectorate during last month. During 2012, the total number of Legionella audits carried out was over 115 which is in the same region of the previous year.

During the same month, 7 swimming pools were inspected during 5 relevant audits carried out by the Health Inspectorate to verify compliance with Swimming Pools Regulations, 2005 (L.N. 129 of 2005). This regulation specifies that all swimming pools with the exception of those situated at a single family residence need to register with this Directorate. Over 200 pools were inspected during 76 pool audits, last year. This is an increase in the number of pools inspected but a slight decrease in the number of audits.

During December no swimming pools, were registered with this Directorate in terms of mentioned regulations; but throughout last year 28 pools were registered. A list of registered pools can be found in the Directorate’s website mentioned below.

Inspections of Schools

During December, seven schools were inspected to ensure compliance with general hygiene requirements, whilst during last year, 196 of such inspections were carried out. Such inspections are carried out in private, government or church owned schools and whether, primary, secondary, tertiary or language or special schools.

Private water suppliers

Although there were no new private water suppliers registered during December, during 2011 six new private water suppliers were registered with the Health Authority. Further information on the approved water suppliers can be obtained from: https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/public_health/environmental-health/health_inspectorate/env._hlt._risk_management/private_water_supplies.aspx.

Abatement Notices

Ten abatement notices were issued during the previous month by the Health Inspectorate in terms of the Public Health Act in view of inspections and audits carried out in the previous days. A total of 127 abatement notices were issued during 2012.

Food Consignments

28 consignments of food imported/traded into Malta were also inspected during December by Environmental Health Officers attached with the Port Health Services within this Directorate. Throughout this year, the Port Health Services inspected 543 consignments of foodstuffs.

Other Consignments

One consignment of tattoo equipment was also withheld by the Port Health Services during December making a total of 17 consignments withheld during 2012.

Consignments Documentary checks

1,644 requests for importation/trading of foodstuffs were submitted to the Port Health Services as required by Trading Regulations of 2004.

All traders of food including food contact materials and food supplements are reminded to notify the Port Health Services, 48hours in advance as explained in Press Release 1531 issued on 13th August, 2011. During last year, 25,398 notifications were submitted to Port Health Services.

Ship Sanitation Certificates

During December, 22 Ship Sanitation Certificates were issued by the Port Health Services. Such inspections are carried out in terms of the International Health Regulations of 2005 and involves the assessment of the general hygienic conditions and control measures undertaken on ships. Such certificate needs to be renewed every 6 months at an authorised port; Malta being an authorised port.

During 2012, two hundred sixty two certificates were issued following inspections on ships.

Control Cards for Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

During December, 1109 control cards for narcotic and psychotropic substances (678 females and 431 males) were issued by the Drug Control Unit, which is another unit falling under the Health Inspectorate Services. 134 of these cards were new applicants. Throughout last year over 22,000 control cards were issued.

These cards are issued when a medical doctor deems that a person needs to be prescribed a psychotropic drug. An application form is filled in and handed over to the patient which is in turn submitted to the Drug Control Unit, Shop 12, City Gate, Valletta Tel; 21245490.

Illegal Advertisements

During December, 14 adverts involving Tobacco products and including electronic cigarettes in breach of Tobacco (Smoking Control) Act were noticed on local sites and the respective advertisers and webmasters were instructed to remove, something which was actually complied with. During 2012, 503 adverts were noted and removed.

Two advert of tattoo equipment were also noticed last month in contravention of the Control of Tattooing Act, out of 12 adverts for the whole year.

Applications and Consultations

During December, the Health Inspectorate received ninety requests to process applications to operate food and non-food business. Prospective operators who wish to open such businesses are obliged to apply for a permit with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) and then apply for the actual licence with the competent authority such as the Trade Licensing Unit or Malta Tourism Authority. At every stage, this Directorate is consulted in order to verify suitability of proposed premises.

Over 1100 applications were processed by the Health Inspectorate last year.

During the same month, Environmental Health Officers deployed with the Food Safety Unit, which is involved in the licensing of food related business carried out a total of 91 visits and 1 consultation. Throughout 2012, over 1100 visits and around 19 consultations were carried out by the Food Safety Unit.

Samples

During December, 161 samples were elevated by the Health Inspectorate and submitted to the Public Health Laboratory for analysis and/or examination for several parameters;

o 51 food samples,

o 26 potable water samples,

o 12 swabs,

o 57 infiltration water samples,

o 15 other samples.

During this year, the Directorate has launched numerous microbiological and chemical sampling programmes targeting several parameters in numerous categories of foodstuffs such as colours, aflatoxins, GMOs, radionucleides, etc.

Last year, over 5,400 samples were submitted for analysis at the Public Health Laboratory.

Recalls

During last month, no products were recalled. Throughout last year, locally, 14 products were recalled.

Contraventions

In the past month, twelve contraventions were issued/processed by the Health Inspectorate, five of which were related to food safety issues:

· A catering establishment for failing to abide with an undertaking, lack of hand washing facilities and unhygienic premises;

· A butcher for selling poultry with a misleading label and lack of traceability;

· A bar for not providing adequate hand washing and cleaning facilities, improper equipment, food handlers not registered, and other hygiene related irregularities;

· One catering establishment for lack of hygiene, improper equipment, exposed food to risk of contamination, and failing to keep in good repair floors and walls;

· Another establishment for not abiding with an undertaking;

Seven contraventions were environmentally related, as follows:

· One residence for failing to repair waste pipes;

· Owners of four separate premises for being kept in unhygienic conditions and keeping an accumulation of refuse and another residence for keeping a pool of stagnant water;

· Owner of a residence for using a cesspit without permits from the Sanitary Authority and for allowing foul matter to percolate to third party;

Around 140 contraventions were issued by the Health Inspectorate throughout 2012; involving both food safety and environmental health issues.

From the Law Courts

During the last three months, thirty three cases (out of 142 cases) were decided by the Magistrate’s Court during 7 Health Sittings held. Throughout 2012, 518 cases were brought forward the Magistrates Court, who decided 133 cases in around 30 health sittings.

From the cases heard in the last quarter, those found guilty were given conditional discharges ranging from 1 month to 24 months and to fines, the total of which amounted to €3470. The fines were imposed on:

Fairplay, Triq Dragonara, Paceville, San Giljan was fined €466 for permitting smoking inside the premises which was not being carried out in the designated smoking room on two occasions which occurred in April & May, 2008;

Gormina Bakery, Triq il-Mosta, San Pawl il-Bahar was fined €467 for failing to abide with undertaking entered upon in January, 2011;

Prominent Snack Bar, Triq L-Imdina, Qormi was fined €467 for failing to abide with undertaking entered into in February, 2012;

Fish Hawker Vittoriosa Open Market was fined €800 for failing to provide a wash hand basin and sink, not having an adequate supply of hot and cold water and for being a relapser in December, 2010;

Fish Hawker Pjazza Antione de Paule, Paola was fined €800 for keeping fish at a temperature resulting in a risk to health, failing to provide adequate hand washing facilities, improper equipment, food handler not registered with the Food Safety Commission, removing sealed food products without permission by the Health Authority and for being a relapser in December, 2010;

Maria Rosa Winery Ltd, Sqaq il-Hofra, Attard was fined €470 for not abiding with undertaking entered upon in February, 2011.

The following were given conditional discharges for a stipulated period:

24 months

Fish Hawker at Vittoriosa Open Market for failing to provide adequate hand and equipment washing facilities in November, 2010;

Fish Hawker at Paola Open Market, Triq L-Arkati, Paola for not having a wash hand basin and sink and for failing to provide a supply of hot and cold water in November, 2009;

Fish Hawker at Vittoriosa Open Market for keeping fish at a temperature resulting in a risk to health, failing to provide stall with a wash hand basin and sink and for not having a supply of hot and cold water in June 2009.

12 months

Dates kiosk near Farmers Market, l/o Ta’ Qali, Attard for not providing hand washing and equipment cleaning facilities and for failing to register the stall with the Food Safety Commission in February 2012.

6 months

Operator of Turkish Mini Market, Sant’Anna, Triq il-Punent, Msida for selling food products with tampered durability date in May, 2012;

Operator of Il-Barri Restaurant, Triq il-Wesghat il-Giblew, Mgarr for having in possession horse meat without label and no traceability system and for having packed food products without durability date in February, 2012;

Operator of Doughnut Hawker, KBM 963, Misrah Bir id-Deheb, Ghaxaq for failing to provide sink and wash hand basin with a supply of water, both operator and employee for failing to register as food handlers with the Food Safety Commission, exposing doughnuts to risk of contamination and for failing to register vehicle with the Food Safety Commission in May, 2012;

Operator of Doughnut Hawker, DAT 614 – Roundabout of Triq il-Mina ta’ Hompesch, Zabbar for failing to provide hand washing facilities, not having a supply of hot and cold water and both operator and employee for failing to register as food handlers with the Food Safety Commission in May, 2012.

One accused – 2 months/One accused – 6 months

Operators of Stall No.16, Pitkali Centre (Fruit Import), Ta’ Qali, Attard for having packed dates with labeling not in official language and for failing to have a traceability system in March, 2011.

3 months

Operator of Garage No.8, Carmelo De Lucca Street, Qawra for removing sealed food products without permission by the Health Authority back in October, 2006;

Operator of Smileys Fast Food, Karmenu Abela Street, Hamrun for having in possession food which was unfit for human consumption due to the fact that it was prepared and manufactured using rancid oil in April, 2008;

Operator of LK Tyre Services & Car Dealer, Mdina Rd., Zebbug for failing to register as a food handler with the Food Safety Commission, obstructing an officer from carrying out his duties, exposing food to risk of contamination, failing to register as a trader and for failing to register both the premises and vehicle GAE 757 which is used for transportation of food with the Food Safety Commission back in November, 2006;

Operator of Mac Sean, Triq Wejter, Birkirkara for failing to provide equipment cleaning facilities in February, 2012 .

1 month

Operator of La Cubana Bar, Birkirkara Road, St. Julians for permitting smoking inside the premises in April, 2012

1 week to carry out de-registration or €500 fine would be paid in case of non compliance

Operator of Chez Gaetan, St. Anthony Street c/w Bay Square, Bugibba for failing to keep the premises in a good state of hygiene and repair, floors were not being kept in good condition, exposing food to risk of contamination, exposing equipment in direct contact with food to risk of contamination, drainage facilities were not constructed to avoid risk of contamination, ceiling was found in unhygienic condition, door leading to the outside was not provided with an insect screen that can be easily removed for cleaning, not providing an adequate artificial lighting intensity and preparation area was not adequately ventilated back in October 2008.

Emergency Control Orders

During December, no emergency control orders were issued but throughout last year a total of 29 food related activities were stopped for a period.

Emergency Prohibition Orders

During last month, no premises were close down by the Health Authority due to imminent risk to public health; but during 2012, two premises were closed down.

Complaints

In December, 336 complaints were lodged with the Directorate which were categorised in one or more category, as follows:

Food related complaints

56 complaints were related to food. The most common type of food complaints concerned were risk of contamination (14 complaints), improper labelling (7 complaints), fitness of food (7 complaints), and hygiene of food premises (6 complaints).

Other Environmental Health related complaints Another 294 complaints were environmental health related. The most common type concerned were presence of pests (89 complaints), infiltrations (73 complaints), accumulations of refuse (20 complaints), drainage overflow (19 complaints), discharge of foul water (16 complaints) and keeping of animals in unhygienic conditions (14 complaints)

Note: The number of complaints and the number of categories do not tally, since one complaint received may encompass one or more categories.

Throughout last year, just over 6,200 complaints were investigated in terms of it’s ISO certification by the Health Inspectorate; an amount similar to previous years

The Environmental Health Directorate takes this opportunity to remind the public that it can contact the Health Inspectorate Services between 7:00am and 3:00pm on telephone number 21337333, by calling personally at its offices at Continental Business Centre, Cutrico Buildings, Old Railway Track, Santa Venera or by email complaints.ph@gov.mt

For further information, the public is also encouraged to visit the Directorate’s website at URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/public_health/environmental-health/department_for_env_health.aspx or on its facebook page on: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Environmental-Health-Directorate-Malta/145027878928626.

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