Local restaurants support online inspection reports in Bedford-Sackville

BEDFORD/SACKVILLE - Sackville restaurateurs, and other food providers, have embraced the province's decision to offer online food inspection reports. The reports are not confined to restaurants or fast-food outlets. Any establishment that prepares food such as grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, meals-on-wheels, and day-cares are included.

"I think it's fantastic," said Gina Byrne, owner and operator of Lower Sackville's Boston Pizza. "The public should be informed of any misdoings. I'd certainly like to know. I'll continue to eat out, but I would check online. "

Byrne was not surprised with her restaurant's perfect report. She noted Boston Pizza's own inspection standards exceed those of the province.

Food establishments are required to have a minimum of one certified food handler per shift and these food hygiene training courses must be approved by the Department of Agriculture. A search through food establishments within Sackville revealed several receiving the notice: The operator has failed to ensure foodhandler(s) have the necessary training. This does not mean there is in fact a problem with the handling of food, only that certification is missing.

Mike Horwich, director of Food Protection for Nova Scotia, compared the situation to a driver who can handle a car perfectly but still requires proper documentation. "You still need a license," he said.

While other provinces have adopted a colour-coded system, posted on the premises, Horwich feels it is subjective and unnecessary.

"Something like a cracked urinal or a stain on the ceiling would have to be assigned a colour, even though it might not affect the food," he said. The decision as to what colour each infraction would receive would be open to interpretation.

Horwich referred to Nova Scotia's system as a Dragnet approach. "Just the facts," he said. A detailed listing of specific infractions allows consumers the opportunity to decide for themselves if an establishment's food is a health concern.

Speaking on behalf of the Atlantic Region of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors - whose membership includes Sobeys and Atlantic Superstore - vice president Jeanne Cruikshank welcomed the site.

"We support the transparency," she said. "Online is appropriate in today's culture."

Cruikshank praised the site for also offering additional information regarding food handling for the consumer. "Food safety is a whole collective process," she explained. "It involves producers, whole sellers, down to consumers. What's key about the site is it's very practical."

Vineyard Christian Fellowship pastor Glen Lucas concurred with Cruikshank's assessment. The church's Avodah Cafe and Dairy Bar passed its latest inspection without fault.

"Food safety is priority one," said Lucas. "People want to know the place they're going knows how to handle food, especially in light of recent events."

Even restaurants which received "notices to comply" were in favour of the new system.

"We think it's a good idea," said Ping Hung, manager of King Town Chinese Restaurant speaking through a translator. They indicated their support of the process, agreeing that having the reports online, without hard-copies on the actual premises, was sufficient.

Many restaurant managers in Bedford are also giving positive feedback about the new website, which had one million hits in its first 24 hours.

The Brass Rail Family restaurant, inspected on Aug. 27, showed no deficiencies on their report. Restaurant manager Demetri Panopalis says he supports the postings, both as a restaurant manager, and as a consumer.

"I am really for (the database of inspection reports)," said Panopalis. "Speaking as a business owner, I take pride in my kitchen, but I also go eat at other restaurants. I think it is important to know what is going on in other kitchens."

Cynthia Yeung manages the May Garden Chinese restaurant in Bedford. The restaurant failed to use one of the four approved thawing methods. Yeung had mixed feelings about the online posting of her inspection report.

"From the customer's point of view, it is a good thing," said Yeung. "For me it is half and half. Sometimes when the (inspection agencies) come, they may not give the whole story."

China Town, a business rival of the May Garden restaurant, showed no deficiencies in their inspection report. Restaurant manager Ben Wong expressed a neutral attitude towards the online posting.

"We try to keep our restaurant running the best we can," said Wong. "We have nothing to hide."

At present, since the list only contains inspections from July 10 onwards, it is not comprehensive. There are nearly 5,000 food establishments in Nova Scotia and only 1,700 reports are available. If your favourite eatery is not to be found, don't worry, it will be included upon inspection. Just keep checking back.

To check reports online go to www.gov.ns.ca/agri/food safety/reports/.

weekly@hfxnews.ca