CANADA: Food-safety guides are to keep kids safe, says health authority

19.feb.08
The Vancouver Province
Suzanne Fournier

Tim Shum, Fraser Health Authority (B.C.) regional director of health protection, was cited as saying that food-safety guidelines were circulated to more than 14 schools in his area in 2005, and there has been no public outcry, adding, 
"Our big concern is the safety of food and our objective is simple: to make sure there's no outbreak of food-borne illness in a school,"
But last Thursday, Surrey school trustee Heather Stilwell said she decided to fight the "food police" and claimed "parents are just furious" that Surrey schools sent out advice to parents in a "classroom food-safety sheet."
Stilwell claimed the guidelines would force the cancellation of bake sales, potlucks and hot-dog sales.
In fact, Surrey School Board spokesman Doug Strachan said the board itself sent out the 35-page "food resource," based on the Fraser Health Authority regulations.
Stilwell introduced a motion Thursday, which passed, that the board should find out how schools and parents are faring in trying to comply with the guidelines.
Shum said the guidelines identify high-risk foods and advise parents or schools to apply for a health permit at larger events, especially if "potentially hazardous" foods requiring refrigeration are sold to the public.