On Wednesday, City Auditor Mark Funkhouser is expected to release a report on whether the city should adopt an updated food code and on what resources the Health Department would need to implement the changes. Many city departments face staffing shortages, City Manager Bob Collins said. Turnover is high because of the tight job market, he added. City Councilwoman Mary Williams-Neal, who has held several management jobs in the food industry, said she was appalled by the problems brought to light by The Star 's report. I'm committed to working on this issue.
Food safety is paramount.
We could have a really serious outbreak of food poisoning. Neal said she would have the City Council's Neighborhood Development Committee, of which she is chairwoman, hold a public hearing on the food-protection program next month. Neal, as well as Councilman Charles Eddy, said food-safety training should be required for all restaurant workers. It is our responsibility as a city to be able to assure our citizens that the food they are eating at all of our restaurants is safe. City officials contacted Sunday all said they wanted to look for ways to improve the food-protection program.