Making it easier

System lets food premise operators buy and renew licences online

The Department of Health and Wellness is trying to make it easier for businesses to purchase and renew their licence.

Food premise businesses can now do it online.

A number of businesses receive warning letters from health inspectors because they didn’t renew the food serving licence, which must be displayed.

However, it must be renewed each year.

“We’ve had some, over the years, concern from operators that it is difficult to get payment to us,’’ said Ryan Neale, senior environmental health officer.

“We heard those concerns and we’ve developed an online application system now.’’

Food premise operators can go to the website at www.princeedwardisland.ca where they type in “operate a food premise’’ which will allow them to purchase a licence or simply renew the one they have.

The province simply mails out the renewal.

Nine food premise businesses were hit with warning letters in June for failing to have a valid operating licence — Bonniebrook Farm in Summerside; Downtown Convenience Store on Queen Street in Charlottetown; J and P Jams in Souris; Kate, The Spice Lady on St. Peters Road in Charlottetown; Le Centre Goeland in Wellington; Piatto Cavendish in Avonlea Village, Cavendish; Red Island Baked Potatoes in Cornwall; RJ’s Country Store Inc. in Mount Stewart; and Sunset Grocery Store in Cavendish.

Neale said he hopes making it easier to purchase and renew online reduces the number of warning letters inspectors have to hand out. Warning letters is the first step in a graduated level of enforcement for inspectors.

“We’re hoping now that it’s easier for them to apply for a licence or renew a licence they’ll be able to do that rather than have to mail it in or come to our office. It’s a convenience thing and hopefully reduces the number of violations related to licensing.’’

Piatto Cavendish was also flagged by inspectors for a dishwashing violation.

The operator failed to provide a final rinse temperature of 82 degrees Celsius for high temperature mechanical dishwashing units.

Neale said Piatto corrected the problem immediately so there was no need to issue a warning letter.