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Man asks Region to make food safety bigger priority By IRENE GENTLE The Champion A glut of food safety woes in Toronto restaurants has at least one Halton resident hoping to avoid the samne trouble here. Duane Frerichs of Halton His appeared before the Regiorîs health and social services commjîtee last Tuesday to ask that food safety becoime a priority. "I don't know if it's a major problem in Halton, but 1 think it should be addressed," he said. Currently, there isn't enough information to make educated choices about local restaurants, he claimed. And too msny residents are fooled into, thinking that ifsa restau- rant is open, it must be okay. But a scarcity of health inspectors means restaurants may remain open due to inadequate controis, said Mr. Frericha. "Probably the major one is a lack of inspecto.rs due to budget pres- sures," said Mr. Frericho. The addition of another health inspector bas been placed for con- sideration in the upcoming budget, responded Halton's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal. That would help the Region meet provincial minimum require- ments for food inspection. Mr. Frericho also asked that an easily-accessible rating system be devised so customers can read tbe safety of an establishment at a glance. Mandatory certification for at leant one on-shift food handier was also on Mr. Frerichs' wish îlot. As that's a provincial jurisdic- tion, the committee agreed to request certification from the Province. It also asked for Ontario-wide policies on publi- cizing inspection information. But Mr. Frericha felt that change begins at home. 't think that Halton Region is the master of its own bouse and there's many thingo it can do," he said. "Sometimes you have to take a leadership role." *Though not opposed to tighten- ing up controls, Dr. Nosal stood behind Halton's current policy. 1I give my word that there ion'i ose restaurant in Halton that t wouldn't eat: at due to safety con- cemo." he said. 'mri confident in the pmogram and I'm confident in food safety." And Halton chair Joyce Savoline, Dr. Nosal and Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale noted that residents don't always stay within regional borders when dining out. Halton is falling behind mini- mum provincial standards when it comes to inspecting local restaurants. Last year, 100 per cent of al high and mediumn-risk restaurants were visited by a health inspec- tor, according to a Regional staff report. Eighty per cent of high-risk restaurants were visited three or more limes, while 55 per cent of medium-risk sites were visited et lest twice by a health inspector. Finally, 70 per cent of low-risk establishments were innpected. But according to Ontario guidelines, high-risk facilities should be visited once every four months and medium-risk sites every six months. Low-risk establishments are to be vinited once a year. .zz~Y, The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, Apnil 18, 2000 - Interhop Voted Best Internet -ý Service Provider! WEBSITE DESIGN & HOSTING We can put your business on the internet from only $ 9 9 1 Imonth 876-3918 225 Main St. E. Suite #3 www.interhop.net O.A.C. See sales rep for details ' Value Pîicing ICAD G ES HOUAS SERVICE HOUAS C .«u -Nin Mon. Fn ..C EVRGLET-OLDSMOBILE81 3 3 I ~ ~-&Mn. HWY. 25 S. AT DERRY RD., MILTON Region falling below m-inimnumr. standards