Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Premises Inspection and Disclosure System for Owners and Operators

1. What does a Public Health Inspector look for during a restaurant inspection?
   • Public Health Inspectors look for any conditions that are in violation of the Ontario Food Premises Regulation or any other condition that may result in food-borne illness.
2. How often is a restaurant inspected by Public Health Inspectors?
   • All food premises in the Province of Ontario are required to be inspected a minimum of 1, 2 or 3 times per year, depending on the type of establishment, volume of food sales and menu selection. Food premises include: restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, food take-outs, cafeterias, food manufacturers and food warehouses.
3. Why has City Council amended the Licensing By-law?
   • The Licensing By-law has been amended to give authority to the Food Premises Inspections and Disclosure System. The purpose of this system is to provide information about the inspections and make sure that food premises in the city are clean and safe.
4. Under what authority did City Council amend the by-law?
   • Council amended the by-law under the authority of the Municipal Act.
5. What is the “Getting Ready for the 2001 Inspection” notice?
   • This notice was received by eating and drinking establishments affected by the Disclosure system. Owners/operators can voluntarily post this notice, informing their customers that they are ready for the new inspection system. As of January 2001 once the establishment has been inspected, the “Getting Ready..” notice will be replaced by one of the three food safety inspection notices.
6. What does a green “PASS” inspection notice mean?
   • The “PASS” notice indicates that the premises was in substantial compliance with the Food Premises Regulation, or only minor infractions were noted at the time of inspection.

     A minor infraction is not likely to present a significant or immediate risk to the health of the public

7. What does a yellow “CONDITIONAL PASS” inspection notice mean?
   • The “CONDITIONAL PASS” notice indicates that the Public Health Inspector during an inspection observed significant infractions. A re-inspection is conducted within 48 hours of the inspection to see if the infractions have been corrected. The premises remains open with further information about the types of infractions noted on the posted notice.

     A significant infraction presents a potential health risk to the public and must be corrected promptly by the owner/operator. However, it does not mean that it is unsafe to eat at that particular establishment. In other words, it is safe to eat in an establishment where a yellow notice has been posted.

8. How long does the “CONDITIONAL PASS” food safety notice stay posted?
   • The conditional pass food safety inspection notice will remain posted until the re-inspection (within 48 hours) and the Inspector has noted that the significant infractions have been corrected.
9. If an establishment fails to correct the significant infractions that resulted in the “CONDITIONAL PASS” food safety inspection notice, what happens?
   • Failure to correct infractions under a conditional pass notice can result in legal action or referral to the Licensing Tribunal. However, under exceptional circumstances, the owner/operator may be given an extension beyond the 48-hours. During the extension the conditional pass notice will remain posted.
10. What does a red “CLOSED” inspection notice mean?
    • A closed notice indicates that the Public Health Inspector observed one or more crucial infractions during an inspection and an order to close was issued.

      A crucial infraction presents an immediate health hazard to the public, and immediate action must be taken, by the owner/operator, to remove the health hazard or close the establishment.

11. When would the Public Health department close a restaurant?
    • An order to close a food premises is issued when a Public Health Inspector observes crucial infractions and determines that a health hazard exists within the premises. A health hazard is a condition that has or may have an adverse effect on the health of any person.
12. When and where can I expect to see the new red-green-yellow notices?
    • All food premises licensed under City of Toronto Licensing By-law No. 574-2000 are required to post inspection notices pending their first inspection in 2001.
13. Will the food safety inspection notice be posted where all customers can see it?
    • Yes. The licensing by-law requires eating and drinking establishments to post their food safety inspection notice in a location at or near the entrance where the public can easily see it.
14. Will the public be able to see a copy of the food safety inspection report of an establishment?
    • Yes. One of the new requirements under Toronto’s Licensing By-law No. 574-2000 is for the owner/operator to produce copies of the Toronto Public Health Food Safety Inspection Reports relating to the currently posted food safety inspection notice, when requested by any person.
15. Does the City of Toronto have the legal authority to require food premises owner/operators to post these notices?
    • Yes. Toronto City Council made a unanimous decision to implement this new disclosure system. Licensing By-law No. 574-2000 was amended to require food premises covered by this by-law to post inspection results pending their first inspection in 2001. Failure to post an inspection notice is an infraction and owners can be fined for this offence. The maximum penalty for not posting a notice is $5,000. Repeat violators risk having their license revoked.
16. Do I need to be a certified food handler to operate or work in a restaurant?
    • No. However, in 2002, Toronto’s Licensing By-law will require the owner and one other staff member per shift to be trained and certified in safe food handling.
17. Does a green “PASS” notice have anything to do with the smoking by-law?
    • No, the disclosure notices are only posted in relation to the food safety program.
18. Is there a charge to re-inspect an eating and drinking establishment?
    • No, there is no fee for a re-inspection conducted to check for the correction of infractions.
19. Are there minimum food safety standards by which food businesses operate?
    • All food businesses must operate in accordance with the Ontario Food Premises Regulation. These Regulations are the minimum standards.
20. 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 Safety Program without compromising the integrity of other public health programs.
21. What kind of training does a Public Health Inspector have?
    • Public Health Inspectors are educated at accredited post-secondary institutions and are nationally certified by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. They also receive on-the-job-training and coaching in administering the provisions of provincial regulations within the procedures and policies adopted by Toronto City Council and Toronto Public Health.
22. Does a hotdog cart have to comply with the same rules as a restaurant?
    • Hot dog carts are required to operate in accordance with the Food Premises Regulations.
23. Do food handlers have to wear gloves when handling food?
    • No. Often the use of gloves will create a false sense of food protection if the gloves are not maintained free of contamination and hand washing is reduced. It is much more important for food handlers to thoroughly wash their hands on a regular basis.
24. Do food premises employees have to wear hairnets?
    • The Food Premises Regulation requires that any employee engaged in food handling must wear headgear that confines the hair. A hairnet is one acceptable type of headgear.
25. Are animals allowed in a restaurant?
    • No live animals are allowed in any food premises except for a dog serving as a guide for a blind person.
26. What should I do if I suspect that I have food poisoning?
    • Consult with a physician to assess your health status and contact your local public health office.
27. Where can I file a complaint about a Toronto food premises?
    • You may file a complaint by writing or phoning one of our Toronto Public Health offices or by e-mail at: dinesafe@toronto.ca. The complaint will be responded to within two working days of receipt of the complaint. The investigation of the complaint will be conducted as soon as possible based on the degree of risk to the public.
28. How many restaurants are there in Toronto?
    • There are approximately 18,000 food premises in Toronto. Over 10,000 of those are restaurants.
29. How often will the food premises inspection information on the web-site be updated?
    • On weekdays, in most cases, inspection results will be posted to the site within 24 to 36 hours of an inspection. Results from inspections done on Saturdays and Sundays will be posted to the site by end of day Monday. The date and time of the most recent posting are indicated on the site.findings.
30. Who do I contact for food safety information?
    • You can contact Toronto Public Health at:
      Phone: 416-338- FOOD(3663)
      Fax: 416-338-2366
      E-mail: dinesafe@toronto.ca