Improved food safety is the goal of new campaign

Published: 26 Apr 2019

Council is launching a new program to improve local dining experiences.

Eat Safe Mackay has been designed to increase education and awareness of food safety matters within the community.

It creates a public star rating system based on the hygiene of local food outlets.

Mayor Greg Williamson said businesses would be awarded between zero and five stars, with five being the highest, based on their food safety practices.

“Anything with three, four or five stars is a great choice and means the restaurant is following good food safety practices,” he said.

“The program will give residents the ability to make more informed decisions about where they eat.

“All businesses that are participating in the program will receive Eat Safe Mackay star certificates showing their rating to display on the windows or counters of their stores.

“Businesses rated three, four and five stars that are participating in the program will also be listed on council’s website, so residents can choose where to eat before making a reservation.”

Food outlets in Caneland Central and Mount Pleasant Centre will be among some of the first to have their Eat Safe stars on display, so residents are encouraged to keep an eye out.

Cr Williamson said the Eat Safe program had been tested in other locations such as Brisbane, Bundaberg and the Gold Coast with positive results.

“We are committed to improving local dining experiences and are working with local cafes, restaurants and takeaway stores to ensure residents’ health is the number one priority,” he said.

“On average, there are about 4.1 million cases of food poisoning estimated in Australia every year.

“With better education and programs like Eat Safe Mackay, we can play our part in reducing this number.”

For more information on Eat Safe Mackay and to view local food outlets’ food safety rating visit mackay.qld.gov.au/eatsafe.

Eat Safe Mackay is a voluntary program for local food businesses.

Residents are reminded that the ratings apply to food safety practices only, not the taste or quality of the food.