Plumbing issue lands business in hot water
A Charlottetown market was warned by provincial health inspectors in June to make improvements to its handwashing facilities and its plumbing system.
Global Supermarket on Longworth Avenue received a warning letter on June 19 for two issues.
One was failure to provide handwashing facilities that are adequately designed, appropriately located, unobstructed, for the exclusive use of employees and in numbers suitable for the operation while the other was failure to provide adequate equipment of appropriate design for the specific activities of the food premises to ensure safe and sanitary handling of food.
Essentially, the sinks weren’t properly connected to the municipal system. As a result, the handwashing sink not properly designed by health inspection standards. The same held true for the dishwashing sinks.
“The greywater was going outside onto the ground which is not allowed so that had to be corrected and confirmed by a plumbing inspector,’’ said Kelly Hughes, senior environmental health officer with the province said in an interview with The Guardian. “They had to cease all food handling until that got addressed.’’
Health inspectors carried out a followup inspection on June 27 and all issues had been addressed.
Rustico Resort in Cymbria received an automatic warning letter for operating without a valid food premises licence when inspectors visited on June 20. Inspectors also flagged the establishment for failing to post food safety training certificates in a location where they can be verified by a public health official and not having an employee present with valid food safety training.
Hughes said all issues have since been addressed. She added that it’s just as important to be able to provide proof of having food safety training.
“Even if they had a copy of their certificate on their phone, we would accept that.’’
Two food establishments — Beach Dogs in Park Corner and Star of the Sea Seniors Club in North Rustico — both received warning letters for operating without a valid food premises licence.
Hughes also wanted to note that Jack’s Pizza in Cavendish also received a warning letter for operating without a valid licence although there is one key difference here. The business changed ownership and even though the previous owner had renewed the licence it isn’t transferable.
“That’s important for people to be aware of,’’ she said. “Even if the previous owner just got licensed . . . it’s not transferable between ownership.’’
Hughes also reminds food premises to be extra vigilant — when it’s warm outside, be careful of the temperature inside.
“It can be challenging maintaining cold food temperatures so people should be diligent with monitoring those conditions and making sure their temperatures are OK . . . to prevent foodborne illness.’’