The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has reported cases of fraudulent food-handling certificates found among vendors and businesses within the city, during their routine visits.
Acting Chief Meat and Food Inspector, Abiola Baker, during a telephone interview with Stabroek News, said she was unable to give an exact figure of how many were found at present, because the department is still in the process of doing its compilation.
However, she explained that during a recent visit to some locations, they have identified some fraudulent cards. There are certain characteristics they usually look for when examining the cards.
Baker said certificates with stamps and signatures of persons not belonging to the council were seen on some of the certificates, and in some cases dates were changed.Discussing the measures taken, she said they have since seized those cards and issued warnings asking persons to desist from such behaviour.
Those persons who had their fraudulent cards taken away, were asked to obtain new cards. Specimen signatures of doctors authorised by the Ministry of Public Health were also shared to help managers become aware of what to look for when employees submit their cards. They will also be able to confirm if the signature matches the specimen that was sent to them.
Baker disclosed that if it continues the offending establishment could face sanctions from the council and offending vendors could be disallowed from selling.
It was also noted that the City Constabulary is working in collaboration with the department, to assist with policing the entire system, especially when representatives of the department cannot be present. On why this situation is occurring, Baker opined that it is due to the COVID-19 situation which is causing some persons to capitalise on this kind of behaviour. She added that some persons do not want to come into the office, and further disclosed that based on feedback received, some persons were of the opinion that the office was not working. “They always use stuff when they don’t want to do the right thing, they put up a blockage,” she said.
However, Baker pointed out that even though the office is operating on a rotating shift system, they have not stopped working and are still processing food handling certificates.
She briefly explained the process of obtaining a food handling certificate, and added that a training session usually takes place but due to COVID-19 restrictions, no rapid training is currently being done.
Baker informed that flyers and guidelines relating to food and safety are being issued, and noted that the card lasts for up to one calendar year.
The office is opened for food handlers, from 8 am to 9:30 am, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
On the M&CC Facebook page, mention was made of a Food Handlers campaign scheduled to begin this week.
