A Hunter River bakery that was closed for three days in February by provincial health inspectors has been handed another warning letter.
Inspectors conducted a routine inspection of By The River Bakery on March 28 and noted 10 separate health violations.
The warning letter was issued for three of those violations.
Ryan Neale, manager of environmental health for the Chief Public Health Office, said Monday one of them was failure to develop and maintain a written sanitation plan.
“That sanitation plan had not been completed to our satisfaction,’’ Neale said.
Another significant violation was failure to maintain potentially hazardous food at a temperature of 4 C or colder.
“Two other violations worthy of noting were in regard to handwashing facilities. In this case, they failed to provide handwashing facilities with single-use liquid soap in a dispenser and paper towels.
“Also, around handwashing, it was observed by the inspector that there was a failure to wash hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food or equipment.’’
In addition, the bakery was flagged for toilet facilities not properly constructed and equipped and being a facility not designed, constructed and maintained to provide protection against the access and sheltering of pests.
“Obviously during our inspections we’re trying to ensure that operators have some kind of pest control program in place, whether that’s through a licensed pest control contractor or something they take on themselves.
“In this case, it was just the facility itself. If we note there’s areas for potential pests to enter the premises, then we’ll ask the operator to deal with those access points.’’
Liquor sanctions
Following is a violation under the Liquor Control Act as issued by the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission: Sam’s Family Restaurant in Cornwall was found to be in violation of section 11.1 (2) of the Liquor Control Act on March 16 for having a staff member without the mandatory beverage service training certificate. The restaurant was fined $250 for the violation.
Albert & Crown Pub & Eatery in Alberton was also handed a warning letter after a followup inspection flagged three significant items.
Inspectors had conducted a routine inspection in December and noted some items, but the premises closed for the winter before a re-inspection was done.
Neale said the pub was flagged for failing to maintain potentially hazardous food at a temperature of 4 C or colder, failing to verify that appropriate temperatures were being maintained in a high temperature dishwasher and failing to establish and maintain records verifying sanitizer strength test results.
The pub was also flagged for issues with proper thawing procedures, adequate handwashing facilities, proper handwashing practices, failure to receive, store, process and/or transport food or food packaging materials under conditions that prevent contamination and adulteration and food safety training.
Neale said re-inspections will occur soon at both the bakery in Hunter River and the pub in Alberton.
There’s still no update on the Unique Wok in Charlottetown. Inspectors closed the restaurant on Jan. 21 over 30 separate health violations. Neale said they have been in contact with the owner but are waiting for a request to re-inspect the premises.
Neale also wants to remind all businesses to renew their food premises license. All licenses expired in March 31. Operating with an expired license results in an automatic warning letter.
Inspectors operate on a graduated list of enforcement — satisfactory, unsatisfactory/re-inspection required, warning letter, a health order and closure.
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