Frequently Asked Questions for Owners and Operators

1. Why has City Council amended the Licensing by-law?
   • The Licensing by-law has been amended to give authority to the Food Premises Inspection and Disclosure System. The purpose of this system is to make sure food premises in the city are clean and safe.
2. Under what authority did City Council pass this by-law?
   • Council passed this by-law under the authority of the Municipal Act.
3. When do I post the "Getting Ready for the 2001 Inspection" notice?
   • All eating and drinking establishments should have received a copy of this notice in the mail in October 2000, accompanied by a letter from the Medical Officer of Health. When you receive this notice you can voluntarily post it for all of your customers to see. As of January 2001 once you have heen inspected, this "Getting Ready for the 2001 Inspection" notice will be replaced by one of three food safety inspection notices (Pass, Conditional Pass or Closed). The Pass, Conditional Pass and Closed notices must be posted in a conspicuous location visible to the public, at or near the entrance of your establishment.
4. Do I have to post my food safety inspection notice for all of my customers to see?
   • Yes. The Licensing by-law will require eating and drinking establishments to post their food satety inspection notice in a location at or near the entrance where the public can easily see it.
5. If I don't correct all of the infractions noted on my inspection report what can happen?
   • If you have a "Conditional Pass" food safety inspection notice, you must correct all of the items noted in order for a "Pass" food safety inspection notice to be issued. Failure to correct these infractions can result in legal action, referral to the Licensing Tribunal and even closure of your eating and drinking establishment.
6. What must I do to get a "Pass" food safety inspection notice?
   • You must meet all of the requirements under the Food Premises Regulation or have only minor infractions. Please review the Owner/Operator Guide (available from Toronto Public Health) for a quick summary of the requirements that you must meet, and the Food Premises Regulation for more details.
7. How long is the "Conditional Pass" food safety inspection notice posted?
   • The "Conditional Pass" food safety inspection notice will remain posted for 24-48 hours, at which time a re-inspection will be conducted.
8. If I fail to meet the corrections required in a "Conditional Pass" food safety inspection notice, what happens?
   • If at the time of the re-inspection the items remain uncorrected, a ticket will be issued and another "Conditional Pass" food safety inspection notice will be issued and must be posted. A second re-inspection will be conducted within 24-48 hours. In order to receive a "Pass" food safety inspection notice, all items must he corrected and you must follow the requirements in the Food Premises Regulation.
9. When would my premises be closed?
   • An eating or drinking establishment will be closed when there is an immediate health hazard present that will affect human health. Some conditions that create an immediate health hazard include: lack of safe water, rodent or insect infestation, or no running water available on site at the premises.
10. Is there a charge to re-inspect my premises?
    • No, there is no fee for a re-inspection.
11. Do I have to take the food handler certification course now?
    • No, not immediately. However, it is advisable that you take the food handler certification course as soon as possible.
    • Food handler certification will become mandatory in 2002. Therefore, you, and your staff may want to be certified before the demand for this course increases.
    • By taking the course you will become more familiar with food safety practices and ways to ensure that you maintain a clean and safe food establishment.
    • The food handler certification course is an opportunity to learn about the requirements of the law and to ask a Public Health Inspector any questions that you may have.
12. Are there enough Public Health Inspectors to inspect all of the eating and drinking establishments?
    • Toronto Public Health has the legal responsibility to inspect all Food premises. Toronto Public Health has placed a high priority on providing adequate resources For the Food Safely Program without compromising the integrity of other public health programs.
13. Where can I get more information?
    • Contact Toronto Public Health by phone: 416-338-FOOD(3663)
    • fax: 416-338-2366
    • e-mail: dinesafe@toronto.ca