 |
|
|
VANCOUVER – By the end of this month, all 7,000 restaurants within Vancouver Coastal Health will carry up-to-date inspection reports in preparation for the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The inspection blitz began in early summer and will wrap up by the end of January. It will ensure that every restaurant within the region is complying with provincial food-serving, health and safety regulations. Prevention of food-borne illness is one of the mandates of VCH Environmental Health. On average, all restaurants within VCH are inspected every 12 months and more frequently as required or on receipt of public complaint. "Regardless of where you eat in Vancouver, you can be guaranteed that establishment has met a high standard of sanitation and food-handling hygiene," said Nick Losito, Regional Director, VCH Environmental Health. When "outside the fence" restaurant inspections are complete, VCH will work in collaboration with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)to ensure that "inside the fence" restaurants and food vendors comply with both VANOC’s food safety plan as well as with Provincial Food Premises Regulations. "VANOC is pleased to be working with Vancouver Coastal Health in helping to ensure the highest standard of food safety regulations during the 2010 Games which contributes to a healthy and memorable experience for athletes, officials, media and the general public," said Jacqui Murdoch, Vice President, Services and Accommodation, VANOC. "Vancouver Coastal Health continues to play an important role in helping us deliver great Games." Throughout the Games, VCH environmental health officers will monitor all venue-based food services. They will conduct a second, detailed inspection sweep at the Games’ mid-point. Results of inspections and monitoring will be provided to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) on a daily basis and will be posted on the VCH website. Environmental health officers will also be kept busy reviewing and inspecting the many temporary food services being setup in venue host cities as celebration sites, pavilions and national "houses." Inspectors will also be enforcing food protection provisions under the Food Safety Act and regulations. A food sampling program will be put in place as required, with laboratory analysis provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control or private laboratories. "VCH will complete all Games-related food safety preparations using only in-house staff and existing budgets," said Dr. Patricia Daly, Vice-President of Public Health and Chief Medical Health Officer, VCH. "This has been a huge task, but a vitally important one as the health and safety of our residents and visitors is as important as the success of the Games themselves." VCH has been working with VANOC for several years to create food safety plans for all Games venues, including review and approval of venue plans to ensure that infection control and hygiene are considered in the design of washrooms, hand-washing facilities and refuse disposal. For up-to-date VCH restaurant inspection reports, go to www.foodinspectionweb.vcha.ca. VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.8 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. Contact: Vancouver Coastal Health
|
|
|
| Privacy Statement & Terms of Use | | | Login | | | Staff | | © 2010 Vancouver Coastal Health |