The Department of State for Health and Social Welfare has issued a statement, informing all food vendors, food handlers, restaurant owners, hoteliers, heads of food establishments and the general public of the merger of the existing Food Hygiene & Safety Unit with the newly created Food Standards Unit to constitute the Food Standards, Quality and Hygiene Enforcement Directorate (FSQHE).

A press release from the department states that in recognition of the existence of the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL), where the national reference laboratories are located, the newly created directorate has been relocated there "for it is prudent for the NPHL to interface with this directorate to ensure coherence in the enforcement of food standards, quality and hygiene".

This, the release adds, will enable the Department of State for Health & Social Welfare to carry out the mandate accorded to it by the Food Act 2005 in a more effective and efficient manner. Agents under this directorate, according to the release, shall henceforth be responsible for the control of food in restaurants, hotels, schools and other boarding facilities, and for ensuring food hygiene, food safety and sanitation in hospitals and clinics, food establishments and premises, including markets and streets, amongst others.

The release added that the new directorate seeks the cooperation of all stakeholders and the general public in executing their duties. All enquiries should be directed to FSQHE which is located at Bertil Herding Highway, Kotu Layout, same complex with Central Medical Stores, and on telephone number 4466799.