Charlottetown restaurant warned

PHO Vietnam Restaurant noted for not having staff trained in food safety course

A restaurant in downtown Charlottetown was served a warning letter from provincial health inspectors for not having anyone trained in food safety.

Environmental health officials noted two violations May 17 during a routine inspection at PHO Vietnam Restaurant on Queen Street.

Ryan Neale, manager of environmental health for the Department of Health and Wellness, said at that time the restaurant was immediately warned for operating without a valid food premise licence.

During a follow-up inspection on May 24, the restaurant had corrected only one of the two violations.

“On May 24, we confirmed they had applied for a licence, so that item was OK,’’ Neale said. “What prompted the warning for no food safety training was they were advised they needed it on May 17. We went back on May 24, and they still hadn’t registered for our course so that prompted the warning.’’

The restaurant has since registered for a course.

“(Establishments) have to pay for the course in advance. It doesn’t guarantee (staff will attend), but it’s a pretty good indication that they are going to honour that commitment and show up for the course.’’

What PHO Vietnam Restaurant received was a warning letter, the first step in a graduated level of enforcement used by environmental health officials.

Food premise establishments automatically receive one if they haven’t renewed their operating licence, but for other violations, they get a second chance with a follow-up inspection before a warning letter is issued.

The second step in the graduated level of enforcement is notice of intent to issue a health order. The final step, and the most serious, is an actual health order.