Kitchen hygiene the main problem

by David Kelleher

Kitchen hygiene and fire and safety measures were the major problems encountered during the re-classification exercise carried out by Spanish experts for the Malta Tourism Authority last year.
Out of 246 properties inspected, 99 were found not to satisfy the benchmark set by the MTA and these were above the 44 per cent risk factor threshold. According to the final findings of the re-classification exercise, 54 per cent of those properties that failed in these areas are in the hotel category, the majority of which in the two- and three-star category.
Kitchen failure was also the only problem found among four- and five- star hotels although this was due to certain practices not being met and not because the levels of hygiene were not found to be satisfactory.
Speaking to The Malta Business Weekly, chairman of the MTA’s Product Planning and Development division George Micallef said that after all inspections were completed by the end of November last year, the MTA was now in a position to start re-classifying the various tourism accommodation establishments.
“The final findings will now help the MTA to take the necessary action to bring about an all-round improvement in the level of tourist accommodation in Malta and Gozo. It will also help to boost the authority’s marketing campaigns,” Mr Micallef said.
He added that on the whole the response to the MTA’s inspections was positive although feedback from the lower categories was quite weak.
Of the 246 properties inspected, 50 were reported as closed – nine were closed for the season, 12 were shut down or for sale, and another three were closed for refurbishment. Nine properties were struck off the MTA’s register.
“A total of 60 tourism accommodation establishments were found to meet the new classification norms without any particular problem, “ Mr Micallef said.
Four properties were found to be not used as licensed and two properties have had their designation changed. The other two properties were found to be offering other
services not related to typical hotel activities.
“Five properties were found to be operating without food and beverage facilities thereby not meeting the minimum requirements as set out in the new standards. One property was found not to be compliant with its designation as a guesthouse,” Mr Micallef explained.
All holiday complexes will not be divided into two categories – aparthotels or hotels. There are 16 such properties and 11 have been designated as aparthotels.
With regards to hygiene and health and safety measures, Mr Micallef said that the MTA worked in tandem with the health authority and stringent criteria were followed.
“The most consistent problems emerging from the inspections were kitchen hygiene and fire and safety measures. A total of 99 properties were above the 44 per cent risk fact and therefore did not satisfy the benchmark adopted by the MTA. The majority of these were in the two- and three-star category,” Mr Micallef said.
Mr Micallef stressed that although the findings reveal that some problems were encountered in four- and five-star hotels, they were related to practices and methodology in kitchens.
“At that moment in time, the checks revealed that certain hotels did not conform to practices or methodology of operation,” he said.
The MTA has advised 76 properties to present their improvement plans for consideration within the coming weeks. Of these, 16 properties were identified as establishments that required drastic improvement in order to remain in operation.
“We have not imposed any deadlines because some improvement will require a hefty investment. We are giving them a reasonable time-frame to conform. In the meantime they will be given a provisional licence. Following another inspection, a full licence will be given or withheld,” Mr Micallef said.
The exercise also found that there are approximately 1,000 unlicensed beds, the majority in three-star hotels. However, unlicensed beds were found in nine four-star hotels, three three-star aparthotels and one four-star holiday complex.
Mr Micallef said no additional standards have been introduced but they were simply enforcing standards that should already have been followed. With regards to the Hotel and Catering Establishments Board (HCEB), Mr Micallef said the MTA would be taking over the functions of the board and a legal notice will be issued to amend the law.
Next week, the MTA will also be announcing new conditions for the development of accommodation establishments. A similar re-classification exercise will also be carried out among the 4,000 food and beverage operators, the aim being to educate the industry on what is required of them.