Fighting the war on bacteria: Inspectors are on the front line of the battle to keep our food safe to eat

13.oct.06
The Daily News (Nanaimo)
Paul Walton

For decades now the health inspector has, according to this story, been on the front line in cities and towns throughout the globe.
Dwayne Stroh, acting chief environmental health officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority north of Duncan, was cited as sayig one of the best tools they now have is the Internet and that every Island business that handles or prepares food -- 1,391 restaurants, bakeries and cafes plus 221 food stores -- is listed on the VIHA food inspection website. Inspections and results are posted for all to see.
Stroh said there are 11 environmental health officers to monitor and assist the 1,600 businesses. Only a few large outfits, governed either by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency or the Ministry of Agriculture, do not receive their surprise visits.
Under the provincial Health Act a health inspector cannot be refused during business hours. Stroh said there have been a few times in his 30-year experience when due to serious concerns they have required help from police to enter a business after hours.