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.