DISCLAIMER

It is important to note that an inspection only serves as a snapshot in time. It includes conditions found at the time of the inspection only.

Public Health Inspectors routinely visit nearly 350 food premises throughout the Timiskaming region. Under the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines, restaurants are to be inspected three (3) times per year for high risk premises, twice per year for medium risk and once a year for low risk premises.

Their role is to promote safe food handling practices by enforcing the Ontario Food Premise Regulation (Ont. Reg. 562/90). The Food Premises Regulation details the minimum standards that all types of eating and drinking establishments are required to be in compliance with at all times. Inspection findings are detailed in a written report.

The Timiskaming Health Unit now allows the public to access, via their website, certain information from food establishment health inspection reports. It is intended to help improve food safety standards, reduce the risk of food borne illness and increase consumer awareness regarding food safety.

The results of critical violations are posted on this website and will describe what the Public Health Inspector (PHI) observed on the date of the inspection. This website is not intended to guarantee the conditions of a food establishment at all times and should not be relied upon for that purpose.

What will be posted?

The Timiskaming Health Unit will post on their website the following of all food premises:

Orders or Closures
Critical violations of the Food Premise Regulation (Ont. Reg. 562/90)

Orders or Closures issued under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), R.S.O. Chapter H. 7 and critical violations under the Ontario Food Premises Regulation (Ont. Reg. 562/90) will be posted on this site for a period of six (6) months (twelve (12) for seasonal establishments) from the date the Order or Closure was issued or critical violation was observed.

Charges and Convictions

Establishments failing to comply with the Ontario Food Premises Regulation or failing to obey an Order can be fined. There are pre-determined fines associated with violations. Fines range from $50.00 for minor violations to $25,000.00 per day for a corporation failing to obey an Order.

Orders

A Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Inspector may make an Order under the HPPA, where he or she is of the opinion, upon reasonable and probably grounds, that a health hazard exists and the requirements specified in the Order are necessary to decrease the effect or to eliminate the health hazard. Orders may include, but are not limited to, vacating a premises, closing a premises or part of the premises, cleaning or disinfecting of a premises or requiring the destruction of the matter or thing specified in the Order (HPPA, Section 13).

Violations

This occurs when a food establishment fails to meet the minimum requirements or standards set out in legislation. There are different types of violations depending on their level of risk.

Minor violations: Those that present a minimal health risk. A follow-up compliance check will be conducted at the next scheduled inspection.

Critical Violations: Violations that present a potential health hazard. Such violations must be corrected immediately and a re-inspection will be conducted within a time period specified by the Inspectors (not more than 24-48 hours later).

Examples include violations related to food handling, preparation, storage and/or service.

Should a violation present an immediate health hazard, the item must be corrected immediately. Examples of violations that may pose an immediate health hazard include those that endanger food directly. Contamination of food, time-temperature abuse or lack of safe-to-drink water are just a few examples and in some circumstances, an Order to close the premises may be issued for the purpose of removing or eliminating the health hazard.

If serious food safety violations have been identified, a Public Health Inspector will ensure steps are taken to correct these violations. In addition, re-inspections are conducted to ensure that these violations have been permanently corrected.

If violations have not been corrected and operators are non-compliant and non-cooperative, charges may be laid.

I have read and understand the above.