Can’t turn blind eye to health regulations

The reasons why it is essential that health regulations are followed at events where food is sold have been stressed by Baw Baw Shire mayor Joe Gauci.

His comments follow a children’s farmers’ market style event in Warragul last Friday week where a couple of stalls had to shut down after an inspection by a shire health department officer Sharon Males.

Cr Gauci said he could understand some negative views of the shire officer’s actions given the nature of the event but added that “a blind eye could not be turned” to the need to ensure there were no risks to the public.

He said he “didn’t know the full scenario” but pointed out it was essential that people knew the ingredients contained in cooked items because of the dangers of possible allergic reactions.

It was also important that hygiene measures were adopted by attendants serving from stalls, the mayor stated.

The inaugural “Kids Farmers Market” at the Warragul Primary School was organised by the school and Warragul Farmers’ Market and involved students from a number of district primary schools and kindergartens.

There were more than 35 stalls offering a variety of produce and foodstuffs.

A stall selling apple “slinkies” was shut down because those serving did not wear gloves and there were no hand wash facilities available, and the lack of labels listing ingredients were identified at some other stalls selling processed foodstuffs.

Most of the goods on sale were grown, preserved or cooked by the students.

Warragul primary school principal Rosemary Allica said “the kids had a ball”.

“That was what it was all about and we thought we were doing the right thing”.

If it is decided to run the market again we will meet with the shire beforehand (to discuss what is required), Ms Allica said.

Sallie Jones, one of the instigators of the Warragul Farmers Market and also involved with the school market, was somewhat taken aback by the shire officer’s action on the evening.

It would be an absolute shame if the market was not allowed to be held again next year.

“It was a fabulous night, the kids were on a high, learnt so many life skills and there was so much positive feedback,” Ms Jones said.

Cr Gauci said the council was more than happy to help schools or other groups that want to know more about what is needed to comply with health regulations.

We are certainly open to running awareness programs for them at no charge, he said.