NSW Food Authority focuses on pests

The Name and Shame List from the NSW Food Authority has more than 100 food businesses that have been non compliant in pest control.

This has prompted the Authority to a concentrated focus on pest control and infestation in it’s current inspections. It is also requesting that local councils adopt the same focus to reduce the amount of pest infestations and non compliances.

NSW Food Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer Craig Sahlin said; “NSW consumers rightly expect high standards from businesses where they are purchasing or eating food. Eradicating pests is particularly important at this time of year when the weather is generally warmer. Common pests such as cockroaches, rats and mice are attracted to food debris. They also can carry bacteria and viruses, and can contaminate food and food contact surfaces. So I urge businesses to keep things clean and control pests. Pest sightings and food contamination due to pests can also result in a large number of food complaints.”

Pest should be build out, blocked out and prevented as part of a business’s pest control program with sprays and baits / traps as the last lines of defence.

In NSW the fine for pest issues can be more than $880 plus the business name and non-compliance details included in the Authority’s Name and Shame List.