Tutong - Forty-one restaurant outlets under the licencing control of the Tutong District Office have been evaluated in a grading process, where only 22 received certification.

Out of the 22 outlets; one was awarded Grade 'A certificate, three received Grade 'B' certificates, three received Grade 'C' certificates and a total of 15 outlets received Grade 'D' certificates.

A certificate presentation ceremony was organised yesterday by the Tutong District Office at the official residence of the Tutong District Office.

The certificates were presented by Ditto Paduka Dr Hj Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Sant Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Awg Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Mohd Hussain, the Assistant Tutong District Officer, in his welcoming speech, revealed that the project commenced with Phase 1 on April 6-8 in 2009, where only nine eateries participated. During the 2nd Phase on April 15-20 in 2010 and the 3rd Phase on November 12-24 in 2011, the project saw the participation of 20 and 41 outlets respectively.

Awg Shamsul Bahrin explained that the evaluation was based on a guideline divided into four categories -Food Safety, Completeness, Comforts, and Services.

Out of the four, the Food Safety category is of the upmost importance, 'stressed the Assistant Tutong District Officer. The Food Safety category took up 80 per cent of the marking process.

The grading certification is based on a one-year period.

Awg Shamsul Bahrin also reminded that for outlets which scored less than 50 per cent, action will be taken and it will be ordered to close down.

Furthermore, licences can be revoked based on various grounds, including whether or not there is a valid public complaint on bugs found in the food, operating under an expired licence, not passing the required grading process and others.

The evaluating panel comprised the Tutong District Office; Department of Health in Tutong; Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation; representatives from the private sector; as well as the customers or members of the public.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin