New proposed changes to the Regulations under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) in Ontario (Canada) are intended to modernize and ensure public health programs and services remain current to protect the health of Ontarians. A couple of the major highlights to the proposed changes to the Food Premises Regulation include mandatory on-site disclosure of inspections and mandatory food handler training for one person on shift at all times. There are a number of other modifications that include amendments to cleaning and sanitizing, temperature control and food handling.

The Ontario Food Premises Regulation was outdated and a number of concerns, in particular, with cleaning and sanitizing requirements have to come light a number of times in the past by industry and Regulators alike. Glad to see the modernization of the Regulation. However, when reading further into the proposed changes, one proposed amendment to another Regulation under HPPA is to remove the professional qualifications requirements for public health inspectors. Public health inspectors undertake specialized education and training in their field followed by a rigorous process of becoming Certified. Why remove their professional qualifications? They are highly trained on how to conduct food safety inspections, pool inspections and any other public health related inspections. Removing their qualifications in Ontario will not only provide inconsistency in Canada, they will also lose credibility.