Demerit point system targets cleanliness of food outlets
RESTAURANTS and food stalls contravening government hygiene standards can lose their licences or permits under a new demerit system introduced by the Urban Council this year.
Inspectors can issue demerits in the form of points and premises can be closed down either temporarily or permanently if they reach the demerit limit - just as a motorist might have his driving licence suspended after repeated offences.
Fifteen points within a 12-month period will result in a licence being suspended for four days. If another 15 points are accumulated within a year of a first offence, the premises will be closed for a week.
Ten more points collected within a year of the second offence will mean a 14-day licence suspension. A third suspension and another 10 points within 12 months will result in a licence being cancelled and the premises closed. If a premises has a clean sheet for a year, it is entitled to start again with an unblemished record.
Demerit points are issued according to the seriousness of the hygiene infringement.
'Very Serious' infringements, which collect 15 points and an immediate four-day licence suspension, include selling adulterated food which is 'injurious to health', selling watered-down milk or meat injected with fluid, serving food unfit for human consumption, supplying frozen milk or confectionary that is dangerous to health, selling seized food, or possessing prohibited food.