Important to renew licence

A dozen establishments across P.E.I. that sell food were warned in September to update their operating licence.

Much like renewing a vehicle registration, any establishment that sells food is required by the provincial government to update its licence on an annual basis.

One business, the Murray Harbour North Community Centre, was flagged for two violations — operating without a valid licence and for failing to submit a water sample for bacteria analysis at the required frequency.

Both issues have since been cleared up.

“The water issue was simply that they didn’t have a water sample on file for the previous 12 months,’’ said Ryan Neale, manager of environmental health for the Chief Public Health Office. “But once that was identified they did get a water sample. They actually resampled on Oct. 3, and it was clear.’’

The following food premise establishments were also flagged for operating without a valid licence, and all have since paid the renewal fee: Grandma Jaworski’s Foods, Charlottetown Farmer’s Market; Royal Canada Legion Branch 17, Wellington; Bulk Barn 517, Summerside; Elm Street Elementary School, Summerside; Glo P.E.I. Inc., Grafton Street, Charlottetown; Montague Consolidated Breakfast and Lunch Program, Montague; Papa Joe’s Restaurant and Lounge, Charlottetown; Rick’s Fish and Chips, St. Peters Bay; West Royalty Elementary School, Charlottetown; Wilmot Community Centre, Wilmot.

Neale said it’s important that businesses selling food maintain a valid operating licence.

“It just goes back to one of the fundamental requirements of the regulations and the Public Health Act, that in order to prepare and sell food to the public that a food premise licence is required,’’ he said.

“That food premise licence application we would receive from an operator allows us to assess the operation, to make sure that conditions will be safe for the public before a licence is issued. It’s important to assess that on a yearly basis in case anything has changed.’’