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Opening a Food Premises
Opening a Food Premises in Elgin County
Notice of Intent to Operate a Food Premises (PDF Form)
Ontario public health legislation requires anyone who plans to operate a food premises in Elgin County to notify Southwestern Public Health’s St. Thomas Site of their intention. Operators MUST fill out and submit this form to the health unit.
Premises Checklist: Is your property suitable as a food premise?
Food that is sold or served to the public must be prepared in an approved facility. If you are planning on opening a new food establishment or purchasing an existing one, there are several factors you should consider. This document will help you determine if a building is suitable for your business.
Food Safety Management Plan SWPH has developed this reference tool to help owners/operators of food service premises. These plans will assist the operator to ensure that all steps are taken to prevent food-borne illness from developing in their food service premises. It is the responsibility of all operators to evaluate the plan to ensure it is being used properly and effectively.
Information clarifying the status of churches, service clubs and fraternal organizations.
Non-Inspected Premises Sign
Even though churches, service clubs and fraternal organizations are exempt from complying with Ontario Food Premises Regulation 562, they are required to post in a prominent location a sign stating the premise is not inspected by public health.
Food vendors at farmer’s market MUST complete this form. The completed form can be faxed to 519-633-0468 or mailed to SWPH St. Thomas Site and a Public Health Inspector will review it.
Raw milk means milk that has not been pasteurized. The purpose of pasteurizing is to ensure that raw milk is heated to very high temperatures so that disease causing bacteria can be killed. If the milk is not pasteurized then the ideal environment in the raw milk promotes the growth of harmful bacteria. These harmful bacteria in raw milk can become a potential danger to anyone who drinks it.
In Ontario, according to the Health Protection and Promotion Act (sec. 18), it is illegal to sell, offer for sale, deliver or distribute unpasteurized (raw) milk and milk products.
For more information please click on the links below:
In Ontario, according to the Ontario Food Premises Regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 562)(sec. 54), it is illegal to store, handle, serve, process, prepare, display, distribute, transport, offer for sale or sell ungraded or Grade “C” eggs.
Please Note: Eggs MUST come from a licensed egg grading station and only Canada Grade “A” & “B” eggs are permitted to be sold.
