Confirmation of the failed food hygiene standards at venues catering to hundreds if not thousands of local residents and tourists during Phuket’s most attended festival came at a meeting of the Phuket Provincial Administration Committee chaired by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat today (Oct 30).
Certificates were given to 12 shrines that passed the food sanitation assessment in the kitchen during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2023, held from Oct 15-23, said an official report of the meeting.
The assessment included the food and food preparation areas at the shrines as well as those in the immediate vicinity of each shrine where food was served to people attending or taking part in shrine activities, the report explained.
“If the process of preparing and cooking food is not clean, it may affect the health of consumers,” said the report.
The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) conducted an assessment of food sanitation standards in the kitchens of 19 shrines, of which only 12 were approved and issued certifications, the report said.
The 12 shrines certified as meeting food hygiene standards were named as: Sam Kong Shrine, Jong Ong Shrine, Lor Rong Shrine, Saphan Hin Shrine, Khao Rang Shrine, Yok Ke Keng Cho Chu Kang Shrine (Soi Phaniang), Kuan Yu Na Bon Shrine, Thi Kong Bua Thep Anusorn Shrine, Naka Shrine, Sapam Shrine, Bang Khu Shrine and Tha Ruea Shrine.
The official report did not name the shrines that served food to local residents and tourists while not complying with food hygiene standards during the festival, or mention any action taken against those shrines for serving potentially unsafe food during Phuket’s most popular festival specifically renowned for the food served.
Earlier this month as the festival began, the PPHO’s Environmental Health Group reported inspecting several shrines as the festival began, with assessments led by PPHO Deputy Chief Supalak Damrongchua conducted on Oct 16-18.
Joining the inspections were representatives from Occupational Health & Safety office, together with officials from the Public Health Division at Phuket City Municipality, Vachira Phuket Hospital.
Shrines in Muang District confirmed as inspected included the Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine. Jeng Ong Shrine, Sui Boon Tong Shrine, Tao Bo Keng Shrine. Pud Jao Shrine, Kiew Tian Keng Shrine and the Bang Neow Shrine.
Further shrines in Thalang District inspected included Kuan Te Kun Shrine (Sapam), Sam Pai Kong Shrine (Bang Khu), Ngo Hien Tai Te Lao Chia Shrine (Ban Khian), Tae Kun Shrine (Pasak), Sam Ong Hu Shrine (Cherng Talay) and the Tha Ruea Shrine.
In reporting those inspections, the PPHO’s Environmental Health Group likewise reported that shrines that passed the food hygiene and safety standards were issued certificates.
However, no mention was made of which shrines failed to pass the health and safety standards.
The reports included only photos of shrines inspected that were approved and received food hygiene certification.