Strengthening National Food Control Programme, Malta. Terminal statement

The existing food control system was reviewed with special attention being given to the effectiveness of regulatory personnel and the adequacy of current r egulations and equipment. The review showed that, although the regulations needed to be amende d, the main weaknesses in the system were the lack of sufficiently well-trained health inspectors and management procedures designed to ensure accountability for inspections. There were also serious weaknesses in the chemical and microbiology laboratories arising from th e shortage of staff trained to use modern computer equipment, and in the practices followed in sampling foods, both for import and export, and issuing import certificatesA number of training courses were organized for health inspectors an d, to improve the accountability of the cadre, a draft inspection report form was prep ared. To keep staff abreast of new developments and requirements, it was recommended that a continuous in-service training programme be established and it was also suggeste d that the initial training courses for health inspectors be expanded to cover specialized areas of food safety. Early adoption and use of the draft inspection report form would be of great assistance in improving the effectiveness of the food inspectorateWhile the project prepared a draft revision of food regulations, it was recommended that a comprehensive review be undertaken of all food legislation in anticipation of membership in the European Economic CommunityIn view of the magnitude of the task facing the Government in develo ping and implementing an effective food regulatory system, it was suggested that consider ation be given to obtaining external support to follow-up in the key areas identified by the projec