Bakery owner puzzled by ruling Continued from pg. 1 can be classified as a meat plant-- considering the way they make their meat pies. He explained their meat comes in 10-lb. sealed bags in boxes, some of it diced steak, some ground beef. The bakery refrigerates the meat until it's cooked. Bakery staff then cut open a bag, put the meat into a large pressure cooker, add water, spices, seal it and cook it. That cooked mixture is then put into a pie shell and baked. He said that's their extent of involvement with the meat. They don't cut it, just put it in the pressure cooker. Miller said to meet the requlation requirements he was told they should have a refrigerated loading bay, two separate rooms are required-- one with refrigeration, washable walls, ceiling and remote control taps, and one surrounding the oven. Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott agrees wholeheartedly with the Millers and has been trying to get their problem solved. "The fundamental issue-- it's a bakery, not an abattoir or a meat-processing plant," said Arnott. He's tried to get Minister of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs Carol Mitchell to deal with the issue, and Arnott has raised it in the legislature. "They (the McGuinty government) appear not to know the difference between a meat plant and a bakery," said Arnott in the legislature. "It's ironic that Miller's bakery is allowed to sell their meat pies directly to their customers, which implicitly acknowledges that the ministry believes the food is safe, but they are unable to wholesale the very same pies without pushing their business into a loss position, costing jobs for Ontario families. This is overkill." He asked for a reasonable solution to allow the Miller's bakery to remain open and profitable. In response, Mitchell said the Liberal government invested $80 million in local food. "I can tell you that food safety is our number one priority. It isn't on that side of the House," said Mitchell. Arnott was disappointed with her reply. "It seems ridiculous that the Ministry is applying regulations meant for a meat packing plant to a bakery. The Minister doesn't seem to know the difference," said Arnott. Sarah Petrevan, a spokesperson for Minister Mitchell said the Miller's business is a bakery that is conducting a meat activity. "When you're dealing with raw meat, there is a risk associated with it," said Petrevan. She said the reason they can sell retail, and not wholesale, comes down to "wide distribution." "It's not saying people are doing anything wrong," said Petrevan. "We do tests randomly throughout the years and we have tests that come back positive sometimes. "We want to have appropriate labeling," said Petrevan. "We want to be able to trace the product. We want to ensure appropriate cooking instructions are there." "We would be very willing to work with them, to try to see what could be done," said Petrevan, adding a phased approach may be an option. Registered Massage Therapist 5 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, March 15, 2011 ROBIN BANNON, cell: RMT 416-710-4852 Weekend Appts. Available NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS · Ease Back, Neck, Shoulder Pain · Pregnancy Massage · Carpel Tunnel · Tennis Elbow · 15 Minute Chair Massage · "GIRLS' NIGHT OUT" - In Home Parties 108 Main St. S. Georgetown Mon. - Sat. at Dr. Hassard's Office. Ages 18 months to 5 years 83 Main Street N, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 3H5 Phone/Fax: 905-230-1777 · www.aamontessorischool.com FULLY LICENSED. NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS · Small Student/Teacher ratios · All teachers are Registered Early Childhood Educators (ECE) · Open 7 am - 6 pm, Mon. - Fri. · Open March Break & Summer Months · See our website for current promotions Where Every Little Angel Is The Apple Of Our Eye