ALBERTA: Health inspections on decline

03.oct.09
Edmonton Journal
Darcy Henton

Auditor General Fred Dunn says a lack of inspection and enforcement of
food-safety regulations makes going out for dinner "a risk-taking
venture" in some parts of Alberta.
Dunn said he is disappointed that the percentage of inspections of
restaurants actually declined in some regions of the province since he
last reported on food safety in 2004.
The auditor general was frustrated with Calgary, where the percentage of
restaurant inspections dropped from 43 per cent of the target to 39 per
cent in the past three years.
"I have a high regard for our colleagues and fellow citizens in
Calgary," he told reporters. "They're very forward-thinking, but dining
out should not be a risk-taking venture."
Dunn's annual report cited former health regions of Aspen and David
Thompson for having a poor record of conducting routine inspections
--barely meeting half the target --while the Capital, Palliser and East
Central regions of the province topped the list by inspecting 98 to 100
per cent of the target.
Dunn cited the Edmonton Journal for working to promote food safety by
posting online inspection reports. Alberta Health Services now posts
restaurant inspections for most of the province on its website.
The capital region led the way by performing 100 per cent of targeted
routine inspections and charging 17 establishments--compared to seven in
Calgary--in 2008.
Dunn said if the public has the information, market forces can weed out
unsafe facilities.
"If you have irresponsible and risk-taking entrepreneurs out there, let
the public know."
But he said it is critical that enforcement action be taken against
proprietors who continuously flout the food safety rules