Hot dog vendor shut down

02.aug.06
Esquimalt News
Vancouver Island News Group

Health inspector's decree leaves Esquimalt Market devoid of 'dogs

Some vendors at the Esquimalt Community Market wish the health inspector would chill out.
A Vancouver Island Health Authority health inspector informed some vendors selling food at the market that they don't meet health standards.

Susan Gillrie, one of the vendors at the market, was quoted as saying, "To sell hot dogs, smokies or anything like that we have to have running water. I know you have to wash your hands - but why can't you just have a bowl of soapy water?"

As far as Gillrie is concerned, changing the water for washing hands on a regular basis throughout the day would effectively address any health-related issues.

It's not even permissible, she said, to bring sandwiches to the market and put them in a cooler.

The VIHA health inspector indicated that vendors who sell food must have an actual kitchen facility set up in order to meet the standards, Gillrie said, adding, "To me that's really kind of stupid."

The rules mean that Gillrie can only sell pop and prepackaged products such as muffins.
Angela Fleet was selling hot dogs at the market - until the health inspector paid her a visit, and asked, "How come I'm allowed to bake something in my kitchen for you but I'm not allowed to cook a hot dog in front of you?"

The story says that the crackdown by the health inspector resulted in Fleet deciding to stop selling any food or drink items at the community market.

Maxine Marchenski, VIHA's senior environmental health officer, was cited as saying the rules governing what can and can't be sold at outdoor markets fall under B.C.'s Food Premises Regulation adding, "You need running water, you need refrigeration and all that sort of stuff."

Each vendor must obtain a permit to operate from VIHA before setting up a booth at a market and the permit must be displayed at the booth.