News

SIMCOE, AUGUST 19, 2014 – The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit has begun a more in depth review of local farm gate vendors to ensure all are up to date with their food safety procedures.

Farm gate sales are exempt from the Food Premises Regulation (R.R.O 562 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act) if they are selling their own farm products like honey or maple syrup and their own unprocessed produce. Processing the produce for sale – including slicing, canning, baking, preserving – removes the exemption.

The Health Unit has decided to adopt a more proactive approach to inspections.

“The number of producers has grown recently, and many are expanding their product lines to show off all the great food we grow locally,” said Sandy Stevens, Program Manager for Environmental Health at the HNHU. “The Health Unit wants to help our local food vendors produce food safely to ensure their success. Many vendors have had to upgrade over the years, but we haven’t seen everyone. We want to get everyone up to date for the benefit of the consumers and the community as a whole.”

The review of farm gate vendors by inspectors will begin during the month of August. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit recognizes that safe food is a major contributing factor to the health of the community.

Contact:
Sandy Stevens, Program Manager
Environmental Health Team
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
519-426-6170 ext. 3216
[email protected]