Kebab survey final results

24 April 2008

The NSW Food Authority will continue to monitor kebab store owners after a third of kebabs tested during a snapshot survey were in the marginal category on food safety, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today.

Minister Macdonald said although the final results of a food monitoring survey of 25 kebab shops across Sydney has shown most comply with food safety laws, having one in three kebabs in the marginal category was not good enough.

“In addition to a third of the tests being in the marginal category there were also three unsatisfactory test results from two businesses,” he said.

“One of those samples contained only slightly elevated levels of E. coli and when retested, results were within acceptable levels.

“The other business with two unacceptable results was inspected and further samples taken for testing with appropriate enforcement action taken.

“The vast majority of kebab shop owners do the right thing. The message for those who don’t is simple – take simple precautions with all food handling practices and avoid cross contamination of food products. There is obviously a need for continued vigilance to ensure good food handling practices are followed.

“I would hate to see a slip from marginal into unsatisfactory and have instructed the NSW Food Authority to monitor the situation.

“We will take no chances when it comes to food safety.”

Interim results of the survey released in March showed 46.4 per cent of samples were satisfactory and 50 per cent were marginal.

“These final figures show a decrease in the level of unacceptable results from a previous survey in 2004, but operators still need to be vigilant in maintaining standards,” he said.

“Consumers can be assured that any drop in these standards will not be acceptable and that any non-compliant premises can expect robust enforcement.”

No salmonella was detected in any of the samples.