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Public warned against fake health inspectors
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Posted on May 12 2000
Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez yesterday cautioned businesses against impostors posing as health inspectors who try to collect money from various hotels and restaurants.
The warning came after the Department of Public health received complaints about the alleged Bureau of Environmental Health inspectors demanding payment during their visit.
Mr. Villagomez has ordered an investigation on the extortion incidents as he urged the business sector to ask for identification cards from inspectors who come to their establishments to make sure that they are legitimate staff of the Bureau of Environmental Health.
“If they have any concerns, call us and we will verify it. But more importantly, no inspectors are supposed to collect any money. If it is proven true that there are staff here who did that then we assure the people that they will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. Such practice will not be tolerated by the department,” he said.
The bureau has been carrying out health inspection in restaurants and hotels in a move to ensure strict compliance to health standards and maintain a high quality of service. Many restaurants on the island that have violated health and sanitation standards have been ordered closed.
As part of its effort to ensure that food handlers follow strict hygiene and sanitation standards, the department has carried out health screening of food handlers.
Over 5,000 workers in the Northern Marianas who are employed as food handlers have been required to undergo medical examination and attend the basic food hygiene and sanitation workshop.
DPH said the regulation was aimed at controlling the spread of food-borne diseases in the community which can be passed on through the handling, processing and serving of food to the customers.
