CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Provincial health inspectors shut down two food premises over the past month for violating the Public Health Act.
By The River Bakery in Hunter River was closed following a routine inspection on Feb. 12, while China Garden on Queen Street in Charlottetown was shut down on March 5 when inspectors noted 21 separate health violations.
Both have since re-opened.
China Garden is the second Chinese food restaurant to have its doors closed by inspectors this year after the Unique Wok on Grafton Street was shut down on Jan. 21 when inspectors noted 30 violations.
The violations with By The River Bakery included issues with temperature control, hand washing practices and sanitation issues with where the food was being stored and processed.
“They failed nine of the past 10 routine inspections . . . and then we got to Feb. 12 and then there’s 12 more violations,’’ said Ryan Neale, manager of environmental health for the Chief Public Health Office. “When you put that compliance history together and you see some of the same violations over and over again, it’s time to take action. They are putting the public at risk.’’
The owner of the bakery asked for a re-inspection on Feb. 14 but things were still not satisfactory. They were called back in the next day and they had met all but one of the conditions of the health order so inspectors allowed the bakery to re-open.
“We continue to work with them on a sanitation plan,’’ Neale said.
The Guardian contacted the bakery and spoke to the owner.
The owner, who wouldn’t identify herself, said they will try to be more compliant in the future, that customer safety is extremely important to them and that staff will be paying more attention to requirements under the Public Health Act. The owner added she’s taking this issue very seriously.
Other violations
- The military canteen at the Montague legion was issued a three-day suspension by the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission for patrons consuming liquor after hours. The incident happened on Jan. 13 while the suspension was levied on Feb. 19
- The legion was also fined $250 for failure to clear the premises. The commission states the premises must be cleared of patrons within one half hour after the prescribed closing time
- Provincial health inspectors also issued warning letters to Great Canadian Bagel in Charlottetown in February and Notre Dame Takeout in Summerside in January but all issues have since been rectified
- Gallant’s & Co. on Superior Crescent in Charlottetown received a warning letter on Feb. 22 for operating without a valid food premises license. The license was paid that same day
Issues with the China Garden centred on proper cooling times and temperatures, adequate handwashing facilities, failure to receive, store, process and/or transport food or food packaging materials under conditions that prevent contamination and adulteration, issues with food contact surfaces, failure to maintain the washroom in a sanitary condition, personal hygiene when it comes to employees, failure to restrict sleeping in a room where food is processed, served or store and failure to follow a written sanitation plan.
Neale noted that China Garden also has a poor compliance history, having failed 19 of the past 22 routine inspections. They even had a compliance meeting with the owner in January, complete with a translator, on their past poor compliance history, warning the owner that there would be increased enforcement.
“Just two months after that compliance meeting was that March 5 routine inspection where there were 21 violations noted," Neale said. "Based on the compliance history and the current condition of the premises our (environmental health officers) felt there was an immediate risk to public health.’’
Neale said the significant violations included failure to cool food within the required time frame.
“Improper cooling is the number one bad food handling practice that can cause food borne illness or outbreaks. That, to us, is the biggest red flag.’’
They also noted failure to provide designated hand washing facilities. Neale noted that hand washing is the best way to prevent illness.
Neale also said employees were displaying a behavior or practice that may contaminate food and there was a failure to clean and sanitize food contact surfaces.
Neale said inspectors have spent hours educating the restaurant owner on safely operating a food premises,
At the request of the operator, inspectors went back on March 8 and found all conditions of the health order had been met and the restaurant was re-opened.
The Guardian was unable to reach anyone at the China Garden on Wednesday.
Neale encourages the public to check out the reports on all food premises at www.princeedwardisland.ca and typing in the key words food premises inspection reports when making decisions on where to dine.
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