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Food Recalls and Public Health
In the last 12 months the Health Unit inspection staff have been
busy with various food recalls and food recall effectiveness checks. These
recalls included bean sprouts, spinach, carrot juice, meat products and
chocolate. The recalled items had potential health risks associated with
Salmonella, Botulism, contamination, etc.
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care advises health units of recalls and
their expected role in recalling the items. Usually this is in the form of
recall effectiveness checks. Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are able to visit
small distributors that may be out of the broad network of food suppliers. It
may mean over a hundred store visits and/or telephone calls. This also means
that the PHIs have to prioritize activities around the recall and delay other
more routine activities. In 2006, Health Unit PHIs had located recalled items in
the course of these surveillance and monitoring activities and therefore
prevented potential illness in the public.
E. Jane Lyster, CPHI(C), CSW, Director of Health Protection |
Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are able to visit small
distributors that may be out of the broad network of food suppliers.
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Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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