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Thursday 3 October 2024

 News Toronto Star And Drink

Jim Chan, Toronto food safety head who ushered in DineSafe, retiring

After 36 years on the job, this city’s most recognizable face of food safety is leaving his post in October.

1 min read
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Jim Chan displays a tray of ungraded eggs seized from a Toronto restaurant.


He told us it was safe to dine in Chinatown’s eateries during SARS, and we followed his advice.

When he helped usher in DineSafe more than 10 years ago, we heaved a collective sigh of relief.

And, every time this city’s been hit by a culinary crisis — 2010’s Listeria outbreak, Pusateri’s 2011 vermin situation, this summer’s cronut-borne illness at the CNE — he’s been there to guide us through – calmly and with a bit of humour.

What will Torontonians do without Jim Chan?

After 36 years on the job, this city’s most recognizable face of food safety is leaving his post in October.

“We’ll miss him terribly,” Toronto Public Health spokesperson Kris Scheuer says.

“With food safety you need someone you can trust; who can explain information; that’s reliable and honest and can tell you the truth. He has that trust level with people.”

Chan – his official title is Manager of Healthy Environments – is sweet and mustachioed and began his career at TPH at 19 years old after studying Microbiology at the University of Guelph. He’s since become the go-to spokesperson when food crisis or controversy hits.

It’s probably only a coincidence that he’s leaving this year — the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

“After 36 years in public health . . . started in Kent Chatham Health Unit in 1977 as a health inspector in training, and joined TPH in September, 1977 . . . it’s been a rich and challenging career and I enjoyed every part of it,” he tells the Star.

“I finally decided to take my retirement on Oct. 31, 2013.”

Chan, a senior food inspector, has spent the better part of four decades getting to the bottom of food-borne illnesses in this city, at restaurants, in hot dog carts, grocery stores. He’s put his extensive expertise to use on joint investigations with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and helped educate restaurant owners, staff and many more about proper hygiene and food safety. We owe him thanks for helping make sure recalled food items don’t end up on the shelves in our grocery stores.

It’s Chan we might think about when we glimpse that Green Pass on restaurant windows.

It’s probably his depth of experience — been there, seen that, know what to say about it — that’s made him successful at his job, Scheuer says.

Also, his push for transparency about food safety — especially when a series of Toronto Star articles pushed for it too. 

Michele Henry

Michele Henry is a Toronto-based reporter for the Star, writing health and education stories. Follow her on Twitter: @michelehenry.

Tuesday 24 September 2024

 

News BarrieToday 


Two Barrie restaurants cited for health violations after inspections

Health inspectors also found issues with outdoor spa and whirlpool at Ramara resort, as well as outdoor pool at Collingwood yacht club
18062024sndhuinspectionstock
Inspectors from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit are responsible for...

Several Simcoe County facilities were forced to close briefly earlier this month after routine inspections by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit found they were failing to ensure the premises were operated and maintained free from conditions that may be an immediate health hazard.

An Aug. 9 inspection at Teriyaki Experience, located on Bayfield Street in Barrie’s north end, determined the restaurant was failing to keep frozen food in a frozen state, failing to maintain the premise free from conditions that may be a health hazard, adversely affect the sanitary operation of the premise, or adversely affect the wholesomeness of the food and failing to maintain potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature of 4 Celsius or lower. 

As a result of that inspection, a health hazard order was served and the premises was closed.

A follow-up inspection on Aug. 12 found no infractions; therefore the health hazard order was rescinded and the restaurant was allowed to reopen.

Elsewhere in Barrie, an Aug. 16 inspection of Tim Hortons at 657 Cundles Rd. E. resulted in a health hazard order and an order to close after it was determined it was failing to ensure premises is operated and maintained free from conditions that may be an immediate health hazard.

A follow-up inspection the next day determined there were no violations. The order was rescinded and the restaurant was allowed to reopen.

Fern Resort, located in Ramara, was forced to close its outdoor spa and whirlpool after an Aug. 1 inspection determined several infractions, including:

  • Failure to ensure total bromine was maintained between 5 ppm to 10 ppm 
  • Failure to keep daily record of estimated number of bathers
  • Failure to ensure public spa was kept clean
  • Failure to ensure public spa was free from slipperiness
  • Failure to ensure public spa was disinfected
  • Failure to operate and maintain premises free from conditions that may be an immediate health hazard
  • A health hazard order was served

That same inspection also prompted the immediate closure of the resort’s wading pool, after it was determined there was a “failure to ensure appropriate cyanuric acid concentration, as well as a failure to operate and maintain the premises free from conditions that may be an immediate health hazard." 

A follow-up inspection on Aug. 2, for both the spa and the wading pool, found all violations had been addressed. The health hazard order was rescinded.

A routine inspection on Aug. 7 of the outdoor pool at Collingwood’s Cranberry Surf Yacht Club found the facility failed to “ensure premises is operated and maintained free from conditions that may be an immediate health hazard.” The online report from the health unit noted a failure to ensure the emergency phone was operational. 

The pool was ordered to close immediately and a health hazard order was served.

Education was provided at the time of the inspection, according to the health unit. The order was later rescinded and the premises reopened. 

Maple Canadian Pub, located in Port Severn, was issued an order to close after a routine inspection on Aug. 9 cited numerous “critical” and “non-critical” infractions, ranging from the failure of maintaining the premise free from conditions that may be a health hazard, adversely affect the sanitary operation of the premise or adversely affect the wholesomeness of the food.

Also noted in the health unit's online report was the failure to maintain handwashing stations with adequate supplies; failure to provide adequate number of handwashing stations; failure to provide adequate refrigeration space for food storage; failure to maintain equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles of sound and tight construction; failure to maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary manner; failure to use or provide test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer; failure to ensure utensils are sanitized mechanically as prescribed in the regulation; failure to clean and sanitize multi-service articles after each use and as often as necessary; failure to equip sanitary facility with a supply of soap and detergent; and failure to keep sanitary facility clean and in good repair.

The report also noted a failure to practise safe food handling to ensure food is safe to eat, failure to maintain an internal temperature of potentially hazardous food maintained at 4 C or lower, and failure to maintain refrigeration and hot-holding equipment.

As a result of the health hazard order, equipment/product was seized and destroyed. Education was also provided and training was recommended.

A follow-up inspection on Aug. 12 determined that all but one of the issues had been addressed and further education was provided. The health hazard order was rescinded and the restaurant was allowed to reopen.

Scopa Pizza, located in Bala, was ordered to close following an Aug. 12 inspection that found the Muskoka restaurant was not in compliance with several health and safety criteria. These included not maintaining the food premises with clean floors and/or in good repair; failing to maintain handwashing stations with adequate supplies; failing to to maintain equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair and or safe condition; failing to protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests; failing to ensure cloths and towels used for food service, cleaning, drying or polishing utensils or cleaning food contact surfaces are clean and good repair; failing to ensure racks, shelves or pallets are clean and designed to protect against contamination; and failure to ensure the presence of food handler or supervisor during all hours of operation.

Training was recommended by the inspector and the restaurant was later reopened.

For more information on health unit inspections, click here

Monday 2 September 2024

 BBC News


Pub food handlers told not to 'scratch backsides'

Steve Beech & Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News, Derby
BBC Bulls Head in Denby, on a partially cloudy day with an empty car park.BBC
The inspection identified multiple food hygiene problems at the Bulls Head

A pub has been closed after inspectors found multiple food hygiene problems, including a food handler who was observed repeatedly scratching his bottom.

The Bulls Head in Denby, Derbyshire, was told to improve its procedures following the inspection, including an instruction that food handlers "must not repeatedly touch/scratch their backsides".

The pub group which owns the public house said it had since closed the premises and removed the former landlady, who reportedly ordered an inspector to leave the premises.

A spokesperson for WJS Group said: "We have now recruited a couple to take on the Bulls Head and will fully comply with environmental health procedures."

'Repeated bottom scratching'

The inspection report, addressed to the former landlady, states: "Your food handler [redacted name] scratched his backside through his shorts several times, touched his face and dirty equipment, but failed to wash his hands after touching those items.

"This may lead to contamination of food."

Under a heading stating "action required", the report states: "Food handlers must not repeatedly touch/scratch their backsides then prepare food. Wash hands after such behaviour."

It also says: "If there is an issue that causes repeated bottom scratching, that food handler must not work in the kitchen until the problem is resolved so they do not repeatedly scratch/touch their bottom."

Sign outside Bulls Head, with an empty car park behind it
The pub is currently closed

Two environmental health officers from Amber Valley Borough Council made an unannounced visit to the pub on 23 July.

The visit was to check progress following a previous food hygiene inspection, and to investigate a complaint regarding hygiene.

One of the officers reported that the woman in charge threatened to call police.

"When I informed you that food production must stop, you told me several times to leave, and threatened that if I did not leave, you would call the police to have me removed from the premises," the officer wrote in a letter to the woman.

"I reminded you that I was carrying out my duties in accordance with food law and that I was authorised to do so."

Other problems identified during the inspection included:

  • Prawns being left to defrost on a sink drainer and being exposed to contamination, "for example by the flies in the premises"
  • Several food items being past their use by date or mouldy
  • Food handlers not washing their hands
  • The woman in charge rinsing her hands under a tap then wiping them on her dress
  • The only cleaning cloth provided being a tea towel, which "looked dirty and smelled of dirt/mould"
  • The same sole tea towel being used to wipe food preparation surfaces, clean, and also dry hands
  • Food cooking and food storage areas and equipment being left dirty
  • Raw meat being stored on top of salad and half an uncovered melon
  • Food including milk, raw meat and potatoes being stored on the floor
  • Sinks, hand basins, taps, doors, door handles and equipment being dirty

Saturday 10 August 2024

 News: Toronto Star

‘Cronut burger’ stand shut down after CNE patrons fall ill

Toronto Public Health is investigating after 34 reports of food-borne illness prompt the Ex to shut down Epic Burgers and Waffles.

2 min read
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Health inspectors are following up with food stands throughout the CNE, including Epic Burgers which serves the Cronut burger. Twelve patients experienced gastrointestinal problems after eating at the Ex Tuesday night.




Chris Parnell had one thing to eat Tuesday — a cronut burger at the CNE.

Within a few hours, his stomach pains escalated to vomiting and an ambulance trip to the hospital. A day later, he learned he was one of 34 people reporting symptoms of food-borne illness after eating at the CNE, prompting a Toronto Public Health (TPH) investigation.

On Tuesday evening, the CNE voluntarily shut down food vendor Epic Burgers and Waffles, which sells the much-hyped croissant-donut-cheeseburger hybrid.

“At this point in our investigation we cannot confirm the food source,” said Dr. Lisa Berger, TPH’s associate medical officer of health. “We are investigating the cronut burger, we are investigating various other food items, and we can’t confirm right now.”

TPH is focusing on people who ate at the CNE since opening day last Friday, and expects lab results from Epic Burger and Waffles food samples later this week. “We are continuing our investigation to interview these persons and identify the cause of illness.”

Paramedics assessed 12 patients who experienced gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, at the CNE on Tuesday, said Emergency Medical Services spokesman Jamie Rodgers.

Five were taken to hospital.

“They were very sick to their stomachs,” said EMS spokeswoman Kim McKinnon.

Some of the patients were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where hospital spokeswoman Leslie O’Leary confirmed they said they had eaten the cronut burger.

Parnell was released from a hospital around 2 a.m., after being given an IV and oxygen, but said he still felt slightly ill at noon Wednesday. Still, he said he’d enjoyed the cronut burger at the time.

“The burger was good,” he said. “No doubt about that.”

Jaren Wade ventured to the Ex with his girlfriend on Tuesday solely to try it. Within a few hours, he said, they both sorely regretted that decision. 

“My stomach started feeling upset. I started getting some stomach pains,” said the 23-year-old, adding that his girlfriend experienced the same symptoms. “That’s when I rushed to the washroom and just started vomiting.”

After experiencing the ordeal, which lasted for a few hours, Wade doesn’t think he’ll be eating at Epic Burgers and Waffles again.

Jim Chan, TPH’s manager of food safety, confirmed that Epic Burgers and Waffles is under investigation.

“We are prioritizing our investigation based on the number of reports of illnesses related to (the) individual establishment,” he said. 



It was the CNE who took the precaution of closing Epic Burgers and Waffles Tuesday evening, Berger said, not Toronto Public Health.  

Two TPH inspectors arrived Wednesday morning to do a full inspection and take food samples. One inspector used a thermometer on two burgers after an employee put them on the grill.

Chan said the samples would go to a lab for testing, with results expected to take 24 to 72 hours. As per TPH guidelines, any other food at the establishment was tossed.

“That means anything left over from yesterday has to be discarded, and an inspector already supervised that.”

The CNE food court remained full of people chowing down on falafels, pizza and deep-fried treats on Wednesday afternoon. Many said they weren’t fazed by reports of food poisoning.

“It was 12 people in thousands,” said Matthew Harasiewicz, who was lunching on a chicken shawarma with his wife, Julie, who ate a lobster roll, and kids William, 6, and Elizabeth, 9, who had a hot dog and a Harvey’s burger. 

Gary Bouchard and his sister, Janet Castellan, came from Sudbury on Wednesday to go to the Ex, and the cronut burger was at the top of their must-eat list. They had seen media coverage and were curious to have a taste.

“I’m here to eat, then back on your diet tomorrow,” said Castellan, unaware that Epic Burgers was under a health investigation. “The croissant and the hamburger together is a little odd to me, but hey, I’m willing to try anything.”

TPH inspected 200 food establishments on opening weekend at the CNE. It gave 17 conditional passes and issued one ticket. No infractions were observed when Epic Burgers was inspected.

A TPH spokesperson said inspectors continue to conduct follow-ups with all food premises throughout the run of the CNE.

“The CNE is very concerned about this situation and the people who have been affected by it,” said a statement posted Wednesday morning on the Exhibition’s website. “The CNE has stringent food safety regulations in place which are monitored daily.”

Full article via News Link Article Toronto Star.