When food safety standards are ignored, the consequences are immediate: customers fall ill, businesses face closure, and community trust is broken. Determined to prevent such outcomes, the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA) has intensified its campaign to raise food safety awareness, rolling out its second food handlers’ training in Mt Hagen on Wednesday, 02 September 2026. The one-day program held at Hotel Kimininga drew representatives from major food businesses including Tininga Ltd, Pick n Pay, and others.
The program was delivered by WHPHA’s Environmental Health Officers in partnership with the Mt Hagen City Authority. It followed inspections of more than 30 food businesses earlier this year, which uncovered widespread gaps in hygiene and safety practices.
Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Melissa Steven cautioned that many businesses still fall short of basic requirements.
“Most food businesses in the province do not handle food safety well,” she said, urging participants to take the training seriously.
Her colleague, Ms. Esther Kuya, during her presentation on food hazards and foodborne diseases, warned that pests carry harmful bacteria and improper storage can expose customers to serious health risks, lawsuits and reputational damage.
She urged businesses to maintain preventive measures at all times, warning that unsafe food practices across the country have already placed communities at risk and caused costly business losses. She emphasized that proper hygiene, safe storage, effective pest control, and hazard awareness are not optional, but essential to protecting public health.
In addition, Health Promotion Coordinator Sr. Giegao Teine Kipa stressed the importance of clean and hygienic environments.
“Consumers expect safe places to eat. When poor standards are reported, we have the authority to close your business. A single mistake can cost your livelihood and affect your family, so think carefully before running businesses involving food and people’s health,” she warned.
Occupational Health and Safety Officer Mr. Bob Nikints added by stressing that businesses must also ensure electrical appliances and equipment are properly maintained to prevent accidents and damage. He emphasized that faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or poorly serviced machines can quickly become hazards in busy kitchens, leading not only to injuries but also to costly property loss. Consequently, he urged owners to adopt regular maintenance schedules, train staff on safe equipment use, and invest in reliable tools to minimize risks.
By combining safe food handling with proper workplace safety, he noted, businesses can protect both their customers and their employees while maintaining smooth operations.
The training covered essential topics including:
- Food hazards and Foodborne diseases
- Personal hygiene
- Time and temperature control
- Sanitation and cross-contamination
- Occupational health and safety
By the end of the day, attendees pledged to uphold food safety regulations, recognizing both their responsibility to protect their businesses and their duty to safeguard the community they serve.
Mr. Livaiton Kamd, Assistant Supervisor for Renbo Kaibar, Tininga Ltd, expressed gratitude for the training, saying, “We have learnt a lot and will apply it in our respective food businesses.”
Meanwhile, Restaurant Supervisor for Pick n Pay, Ms. Vanessa Sirenis, also thanked the WHPHA team for bringing the knowledge directly to them.
“This training has opened our eyes to areas we often overlook. It will help us improve our service as we follow protocols and strengthen our commitment to food safety,” she noted.
This shows WHPHA’s growing impact in strengthening public health across the province. By committing to higher hygiene standards, it aims to build a healthier province, safeguard consumers, and foster trust between businesses and the public.
The program is part of WHPHA’s three-phase initiative targeting 60 food businesses across the province, with the final batch scheduled for October 2026.
Participants were also presented with certificates in recognition of their successful completion of the training.