September 29, 2003
In the Ontario report to the Joint Session, it was indicated that The Ministry is in the process of seeking approval to amend the Food Premises Regulation to include mandatory food handler training/certification and certain technical amendments that would see cooking temperatures for certain meat products and the exclusion of uninspected meat from food premises, prescribed in the regulation. The proposed mandatory food handler training/certification would be phased in over a 5-year period for high-risk establishments and within 7 years for medium-risk establishments. There remains no indication of when these amendments might be made.
May 30, 2002
Liberal Health Critic Sandra Pupatello introduced Bill 66 to amend the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) to require every person who operates a food premise to ensure that at all times during its operation a person who is a certified food handler is employed and is present at the food premise.
March 12, 2002
Two meetings of the committee have taken place, and a third is scheduled . R. Kyle reported that there is general support from all parties (i.e. public health as well as the industry) for mandatory food handler training and certification.
January 2002
Public Health has struck a committee to discuss amendments to O. Reg. 562. The alPHa representative is Dr. Robert Kyle, ASPHIO reps are Brian Hatton and Peter Willmott. Mandatory food handler certification is on the agenda.
May 3, 2001
alPHa executive director Andy Papadopoulos attended a MOHLTC consultation on proposed changes to the Food Premises Regulation (FPR). Proposed requirements for food handler certification matches operative clause of resolution.
April 2001
Full set of proposed amendments to FPR presented at Education Days, including mandatory food handler training.
February 16, 2001
PHB sent out a proposal for fine increases to all MOH's and Directors of Inspection. It would set fines at $100 for low-risk infractions, $300 for medium and $500 for high.
February 9, 2001
Received a response from Public Health Branch (PHB) indicating that it anticipates the need for further consultation in the future, on the development of the Ontario Food Safety Strategy.
August 18, 2000
Received a letter from Jim Reffle of ASPHIO, indicating support for the resolution and that action on it is taking place in the form of exploring the use of Toronto Public Health's new inspection and disclosure system as a model for other health units.
Notes:
- At its February 28, 2001 meeting, the KFLA Board of Health passed a motion to write to Minister Clement advocating legislation to make food handler training mandatory for all persons preparing food for human consumption.
- Sudbury (P. Sutcliffe) sent a letter to Minister Clement advocating the same on May 25, 2001.
- Sudbury & District Board of Health passed a new resolution to require food handler certification under the FPR (June 25, 2002).