Food Safety > Important Notice for Horticulture businesses (growers, packhouses, distributors) from the Ministry for Primary Industries
Health officials in Havelock North have issued a boil water notice for Council water supply. See: http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/boil-drinking-water-notice-remains-hn?page=6
A ‘boil water’ notice is issued when a drinking water supply has been contaminated and can make people sick. You can’t see the microbes that will make you sick, and the water won’t look, smell, or taste different.
Council-supplied water must be brought to a boil and boiled for one minute, before use. Re-boil water that is not used in 24 hours.
People can be made sick when contaminated water is added to drinks, to food, or is used to rinse or clean food or the surfaces that food touches. Affected staff could also be a source of contamination for your food. Here are some actions to take if you might be affected by the Havelock North council boil water notice.
Identify water use that could contaminate food.
Consider the areas of your business where council-supplied water is being used e.g:
What should you do to manage the risk?
You should take risk management action to ensure water used in each of the above areas is fit for purpose and will ensure food is safe and suitable. For example:
If you have been using council supplied water since 1 August 2016, the products that the water has been used with may be contaminated. You must immediately contact your verifier or MPI to discuss what to do next.
Staff could also be a source of contamination
It’s not only the water supply that could be a risk. Staff may live in the Havelock North area and may be carrying the germs into your business.
When can I use the water supply again without boiling it?
More information can be found:
Information about hand-washing:
Http://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/food-safety-for-consumers/tips-for-food-safety
Information about food safety in adverse events (including when on a boil water notice):
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/responding/adverse-events/resources-for-adverse-events/
Refer to the Hastings District Council website for updates:
http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/boil-drinking-water-notice-remains-hn?page=6
Information about the germ that is causing the illness:
http://www.ourhealthhb.nz/assets/News-and-Event-files/HE1211-Campylobacter-WEB.pdf