Red Light for Zhongshan Road Hygiene: Three Shops Cited

[Staff Report]

By early this month the North District health department's special inspection of the Zhongshan Road shopping area had covered twenty-seven food businesses, three of which were found in violation and penalized.

The violations included staff without health certificates, food stored uncovered, and poor cleanliness, the department said.

Since the special inspection began on the 5th, inspectors have made more than forty visits, checking kitchens, refrigeration and staff health certificates shop by shop, and tested sixty-one samples of cooking oil, drinks and ice.

Some businesses complained about the frequent inspections. One long-time vendor in the area said he had been inspected twice in a month. "When customers see health inspectors going in and out, they don't dare come in."

Borough chief Chang Chin-shui said residents have complained about hygiene in the area for years. "Some shops should just close."

The department said the special inspection is expected to end in late August, when overall results will be announced.