Frequently Asked Questions

Why have you decided to post inspection reports on the Web?

To provide the public with accessible information about facilities inspected by Timiskaming Health Unit and to strengthen public accountability and transparency.

What Inspection Reports appear on the Timiskaming Health Unit web site?

Inspection Reports on this site include: Food Premises Inspection Reports - Routine and Follow-up Reports

How often is a facility inspected in Timiskaming Health Unit?

The frequency of inspection depends on the "relative risk" of the establishment and the resources available to Timiskaming Health Unit. At a minimum a facility is targeted for a full inspection once per year, with more frequent inspections for those establishments needing follow-up inspections due to past noncompliance or other deficiencies.

What does a public health inspector look for when conducting an inspection of a facility?

In general, they are assessing a facility's compliance with the legislation relevant to the type of facility they are inspecting. This legislation includes the food premise regulations of the Healtth Protection and Promotion Act.

Does the facility operator get advance notice of an inspection?

No: inspections, although pre-planned by the inspector, are typically unannounced and conducted without any prior warning.

What happens as a result of an inspection, if serious problems are found?

Firstly, Timiskamng Health Unit often regards this as an oppurtunity for food safety education. Depending on the severity of the contravention, the operator is given a specific time to correct the deficiency or risk further penalties. In the vast majority of cases the operator can have the problem corrected promptly, sometimes even while the inspector is still there.

What if the operator doesn't correct a serious problem in the prescribed time?

The inspector has a number of tools available to bring about compliance with the regulations. Through a process of progressive enforcement, the inspector may use such actions as consultation with the operator, ticketing (in some types of facilities), or closure of the premise.

Why is there no inspection information on the facility I am looking at?

Timiskaming Health Unit has just begun posting Inspection Reports for food establishments on this web site that include inspections done after in February 2011. It may be that a routine or routine follow-up inspection has not been conducted for the facility you are looking at since then. Also, only inspections that are related to the current owner are posted. If a facility has changed ownership, the inspections from the previous owner will not be listed