WE REFER to the letter "Staff held bread with bare hands" (my paper, Jan 15).

Our officers checked the foodshop referred to in your reader's letter incognito and confirmed your reader's feedback of a staff handling ready-to-eat food with her bare hands.

Enforcement action was taken against the staff.

Demerit points will also be imposed on the operator of the foodshop. The foodshop operator and food-handlers were cautioned to observe good personal and food hygiene practices at all times.

Members of the public who come across lapses in food or personal hygiene at public eateries are encouraged to call
our 24-hour NEA Call Centre at telephone 1800-CALL NEA (1800-225-5632) for our follow up.

We thank your reader for the feedback.

Mr S Satish Appoo
Director, Environmental Health Department
National Environment Agency