East Hospital in Riga announces a new catering contract bidding process
The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) Riga City Office has identified repeated hygiene non-compliances in the catering block at the Eastern Hospital. The current external catering service provider, CNC Ltd, has been ordered to eliminate these non-compliances by September 1, 2025.
The PVD's inspection revealed concerns about the layout and equipment that do not ensure proper hygienic processes and food safety. Specifically, there were issues with the premises' protection against the accumulation of dirt, external contamination, the risk of pest infiltration, and mould growth. Additionally, there was inadequate refrigeration equipment in the premises.
Following these findings, Raimonds Tukišs, Head of the PVD Riga City Office, stated that the company can continue to operate. However, RAKUS has been given until September 1 to remedy the remaining non-compliances. The company has already made repairs to the floors, walls, and ceiling coverings in the kitchen food distribution area, as well as in the preparation area - vegetable pre-treatment rooms, and technological corridors. Changes have also been made to the process flow to ensure the necessary capacity of the refrigeration equipment.
In light of these issues, RAKUS has announced plans to launch a new public procurement procedure for catering services. The hospital emphasized that the current catering provider is responsible for meeting hygiene and food safety requirements, and that PVD inspections aim to ensure compliance through issuing recommendations and instructions, which do not automatically mean breaches of requirements.
The estimated contract amount for the new Eastern Hospital catering service is €25 million, and it is for a period of five years. The previous contract between RAKUS and the Eastern Hospital was for three years. No further information was provided about the nature of the non-compliances that RAKUS needs to correct.
It is important to note that the hospital acknowledges financial constraints as state funding per meal is less than the actual cost, affecting catering service economics. The current catering service provider at the Eastern Hospital is CNC Ltd, but RAKUS did not comment on the current caterer.
This reflects ongoing regulatory oversight and adjustments to ensure food safety and quality in hospital catering at Eastern Hospital. The hospital's commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety is commendable and essential for the wellbeing of its patients and staff.
[1] Latvian Broadcasting Corporation. (2022, August 22). Rakusu kateringa Ērenpreiza laukošanas kritērijiem neatbilst. Retrieved from https://www.lsm.lv/articles/2022/08/22/rakusu-kateringa-erenpreiza-laukosanas-kritieriem-neatbilst/
[2] Latvian Information Agency. (2022, August 23). Rakusu kateringa Ērenpreiza laukošanas kritērijiem neatbilst. Retrieved from https://www.leta.lv/news/375725/rakusu-kateringa-erenpreiza-laukosanas-kritieriem-neatbilst/
- The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) Riga City Office identified hygiene non-compliances in the catering block at the Eastern Hospital, which raised concerns about society's health-and-wellness.
- The current media outlets reported that the PVD ordered CNC Ltd, the external catering service provider, to eliminate the non-compliances by September 1, 2025.
- Businesses within the food-and-drink sector, such as RAKUS, should prioritize science-backed hygienic processes and food safety to prevent issues like these.
- Finance also plays a crucial role in hospital catering, as the hospital acknowledged financial constraints due to state funding per meal being less than the actual cost, affecting catering service economics.
