MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Forget about taking your dog along to your favourite pet-friendly restaurant in future, as you could be served a hefty fine.
No animal (including any domestic pet but excluding service animals) is allowed at any food premises or any area where food is being served to the public.
The persons 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.
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 current regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food premises and the transport of food (R962 of 23 November 2012), Reg 10 (i) framed under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) states the following in article 10:
"A person in charge of food premises shall ensure that:
- (i) No animal, subject to the provisions of any law, is kept or permitted in any room or area where food is handled, except that
- (ii) A guide dog who is accompanying a blind person may be permitted in the sales or serving area on the food premises".
It remains the responsibility of all food premises owners/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 54 of 1972).
i) On first conviction R400
ii) On second conviction R800
iii) On third conviction R2 000
Contact the Municipal Health Section at Eden District Municipality (044 803 1522) for more information.
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