Good as gold for safety

SEVERAL Knox food outlets have been recognised for their exceptional food hygiene.
On Friday, 11 November Knox mayor Jenny Moore presented 28 outlets with certificates for outstanding safe food handling and compliance with the Food Safety Standards Code.
The awards were part of the inaugural Going for Gold program, launched in June 2005 by Knox City Council’s Health Services Unit. The program, which will be conducted annually, invited all retail food outlets in Knox to enter, with three levels of award – bronze, silver and gold – up for grabs.
Cr Moore said restaurants, bakeries, cafés, delicatessens and take-away outlets were invited to participate and 98 businesses took up the challenge.
“The 28 certificate awardees, including nine gold, nine silver and 12 bronze can now display their certificates in their businesses.
“Their food safety efforts were outstanding and the certificates should inspire confidence in their clientele,” Cr Moore said.
To be eligible for awards, outlets were assessed by the council’s environmental health officers during September and October.
Menus were also assessed for healthy food options and environmentally friendly practices on their premises.
Among the nine gold winners were Chassy’s Cafe in Boronia, Chocolate Dragonfly Cafe in The Basin, Tastee Az in Upper Ferntree Gully and Sueflays and the Knox Complex Advisory Committee in Ferntree Gully.
“We want residents and visitors in Knox to eat and purchase food from Knox food outlets with absolute confidence.
“Programs like Going for Gold assist with achieving this goal,” Cr Moore said.