Official Information Request - Food Premises

Sent: Thursday, 17 November 2016 4:22 p.m.
Subject: TRIM: Information request - food premises grading

I refer to your email of 14 November 2016 requesting:

• A list of food premises which currently have an unsatisfactory or fail rating, eg a D or E rating
• The number of food premises which have been required to close, temporarily or permanently, as a result of a hygiene or safety breach
• The percentage of food premises currently having a satisfactory rating, eg the percentage with an A or B rating

The Rotorua Lakes Council has previously made the decision not to develop and adopt a bylaw to grade food premises i.e. A, B etc, and as a result we currently do not grade any food premises located within the Rotorua District.

Although we do not grade our food premises, if in the event we find that a premises is in such a state that food is likely to be exposed to contamination or taint or become dirty or deteriorated, an officer may serve notice on the occupier to cease using the premises (Rotorua District Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013, 7. Closure of Premises).

In the past 12-18 months, only two premises have been closed under the bylaw, the first Valentines (voluntarily closed) and the second Vitamin Korean Restaurant.

Valentines Restaurant, cnr Fenton and Amohia Streets, voluntarily closed the premises on 7 August 2015 on a temporary basis as a result of pest control issues. Valentines subsequently went into receivership and closed permanently in February 2016.

Vitamin Korean Restaurant, 1145 Tutanekai Street, was closed between 17 and 18 May 2016 as a result of hygiene issues.

We are obliged to advise that you may contact the Ombudsman at the address below if you have any concerns with the response provided by Council, by writing to:

The Office of the Ombudsman
PO Box 10 152
WELLINGTON 6143

Alternatively, you may email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or use the online complaints form available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/make-a-complaint.

Regards Jean-Paul Gaston Group Manager, Strategy and Partnerships

P: 07 351 8302 | M: 0276554415
E: Jean-Paul.Gaston@rotorualc.nz | W: rotorualakescouncil.nz
A: 1061 Haupapa St, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua Mail Centre, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand