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Lorenzo Hume, Chief Public Health Officer for Portland
Possible mould growth, filth and insect infestation have forced the closure of six food establishments across Portland as health inspectors cracked down on unsanitary conditions that threatened public health.
Lorenzo Hume, Chief Public Health Officer for Portland, made the revelation during his report at Thursday's meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation.
Mr. Hume said food safety remains a cause for concern as delinquent food handlers continue to operate across the parish.
The health department is considering legal action against people working at food establishments
without a valid food handlers' permit.
Mr. Hume said the department again missed its monthly target of 95 per cent compliance with the food handlers' permit requirement.
He added that registration for permits fell by 7 per cent over the last two months.
In the meantime, the owner of an egg farm has been fined $100,000 after the health department flagged the establishment as largely facilitating the breeding of flies for several years.
Several complaints were made against the establishment and multiple interventions with experts were conducted with little to no success.