Food Safety, How Do You Handle It?
By taking the proper steps, we can ensure that the food we are preparing is safe. There are four basic steps for handling food safely: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Food safety is important to everyone; however, vulnerable populations such as seniors, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for food poisoning.
In addition to these four basic steps, food premises that serve food to the public, such as restaurants and grocery stores, must comply with the requirements of O. Reg. 493/17: FOOD PREMISES. To ensure compliance with the regulation, the Porcupine Health Unit regularly inspects food premises and provides education on safe food handling practices.
Critical infractions, charges, and closures are posted on the Porcupine HealthWise webpage.
Presentations
The Certified Food Handler Course is provided by the Porcupine Health Unit Inspection staff to provide food safety education based on the Ontario Food Premise Regulations to food premise operators.
Handwashing presentations are also available for facilities and can be scheduled by contacting the Duty Inspector at 705-267-1181 or toll free at 1-800-461-1818. The inspection department can also be contacted by email at [email protected].
Become a Certified Food Handler
Everyone who handles food must take care to ensure food is handled and prepared safely. Food safety is everyone's responsibility. The most effective method for preventing food-borne illnesses is food handler education.
Planning a Community Event?
Food served or sold at community festivals, fundraising events and farmers' markets are an important part of local life in communities across Ontario. Before planning special events, like fundraisers, or farmers' markets, take the time to do some careful food safety planning.
Food Safety with Wild Meat
We would like to remind hunters of the importance of handling and cooking wild meat properly to prevent foodborne illness, such as Trichinosis which can be found in many different species of animals.
Food Recalls
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issues public advisories for all food products where consumption of the food could cause serious health consequences.
Date Labelling on Pre-Packaged Foods
There are different kinds of date markings, depending on the product. The most common terms are "best-before" dates, "packaged on" dates, and expiration dates. Knowing what these terms mean will help you understand the labels, which in turn will help you make informed choices about the food you buy.
Planning to Open a Food Premises?
In accordance with the Ontario Regulation 493/17 Food Premises – Section 5, all food premises are required to notify the Medical Officer of Health at Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) of their operation.
Food Safety at Home
Did you know that most cases of foodborne illness happen at home? That’s why it’s important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent yourself and your family from getting sick.
Safely Canning Food at Home
If you are considering the use of home canning to process food for your own consumption or for sale or distribution to consumers, there are a number of things you need to know to ensure that your food products are safe to consume.
Food Safety Following an Emergency
Food safety during a power outage, after a fire or after a flood.