Safety the priority for inspectors

While there was good compliance by most stalls at the February fairs in Martinborough, one stall serving ethnic variety food was told it needed more chiller space.

A food stall at one of the recent Martinborough fairs was in need of "significant follow-up" by food safety inspectors.

While there was good compliance by most stalls at the February fairs, one stall serving ethnic variety food was told it needed more chiller space.

"One of the food stalls that turned up didn't have sufficient refrigeration and sufficient equipment on the site," said Bronwyn Johnson, team leader environmental health for South Wairarapa District Council.

The stallholders, who were from a restaurant in Wellington, had brought high-risk food and while setting up their stall the council had to intervene.

"This had the potential to be high risk.

"They couldn't sell food until they got it sorted."

Mrs Johnson said the food was removed and stored safely.

She said the council helped the stallholders organise extra chiller space to make sure the food was safe and checked temperatures.

The stallholders had not realised what was available on site, she said.

Mrs Johnson said there were always a couple of minor issues with food at the fair and she had observed some practices that were of "concern", which inspectors followed up on the spot.

The council inspected the food stall again at the March fair and found no issues.

It inspects all food stalls at the Martinborough fairs every year.

Throughout the year, it also inspects South Wairarapa cafes and restaurants.