FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2005
Record Year for Safe Food Handlers
The Health Unit congratulates the 355 food workers who have successfully completed training in 2005 to become Certified Safe Food Handlers in the District of Thunder Bay.
Restaurant workers, food preparers and servers and from Geraldton, Marathon, Terrace Bay and Thunder Bay all received certification after undergoing more than 12 hours of instruction on how to handle, prepare, serve and store food to prevent food-related illnesses.
"We see much fewer food safety infractions in establishments which have certified food handlers on duty at the time of inspection than before they had certified staff," said Tony Pacifico, Manager of Environmental Health. "The 355 certified handlers are a 22% increase over the number certified last year. We hope the increase means that restaurants, caterers, servers and special event operators understand the value of training to reduce the risk of passing on food-borne illness to their clients."
One local organization which has identified food safety as a priority for training is Confederation College. Its Culinary Management Program has made Safe Food Handler Certification mandatory part of their education.
"Presenting truly good food is not only about great taste but also about preparing and serving food safely to protect the health of those eating it," said Tim Matthews, Coordinator Culinary Management Programs at Confederation College.
"That is why the College has made food safety training a component of the Culinary and Hotel Management Programs. It is an integral part of a balanced program."
Approximately 3,600 food handlers have been trained and certified by the Health Unit since the food safety training program began in 1989. The Health Unit holds food safety courses throughout the year. The next is scheduled for January. The Health Unit also contributes to an on-line training program which allows workers to train at their own pace.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2005
Recent Outbreak Causes Public Health Officials to Warn about Bean Sprouts
Public health officials are asking local consumers to reconsider their consumption of bean sprouts due to a recent provincial salmonella outbreak that affected 648 individuals .
"Locally, we did not trace our supply to the Toronto bean sprout producer involved in this outbreak and there have been no local cases linked to the outbreak. However, this outbreak illustrates concerns about the way bean sprouts are produced and the risks they pose for some people." points out Darlene Binette, Manager of Infectious Disease Programs at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "Individuals who are at risk of serious illness from foodborne infections, such as the elderly, people with weak immune systems and young children, should not eat any type of sprouts. Other individuals can reduce their risk of illness by avoiding raw sprouts."
Salmonella can contaminate raw fruits and vegetables that have been in contact with unclean water, animal manure, or an infected food handler.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will continue to monitor for Salmonella cases and compile data from this outbreak. The Ministry is also working with local public health units, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada to inform bean sprout distributors of compliance requirements and proper food safety techniques.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, headache, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms usually occur 12 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food or water.
An order issued by Toronto Public Health on November 25 against a Toronto bean sprout producer to stop distribution of sprouts has been lifted.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2005
Board of Health Resolves to Eliminate Physical Punishment
The Board of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has decided to take a stand on eliminating the use of physical punishment for children.
At a meeting held Wednesday, the Board passed a resolution endorsing the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth. This document summarizes the most recent research evidence on physical punishment and concludes that it is both harmful and ineffective. The statement recommends that all organizations serving children and families take action to end its use. The Joint Statement is an initiative of the Central Hospital of Eastern Ontario and was developed in collaboration with six national bodies including Canadian Public Health Association.
"The Joint Statement has served to mobilize action across the country to end the outdated practice of physical punishment," explains Connie Bryson, Chair of the Board of Health. "We're joining over 150 organizations and notable individuals who have affirmed that physical punishment has no place in guiding children's healthy development."
In line with other public health agencies, the Board of Health will be writing to ask the federal government to consider repealing Section 43 of the Criminal Code. This is the section that allows parents and teachers to use physical punishment as a corrective behaviour measure with children.
Section 43 was codified in 1892 and is based on English Common Law that permitted corporal punishment of wives, servants, apprentices, convicts, and children. To date, all these groups except children now have legal protection from corporal punishment in Canada.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit works extensively to promote positive parenting as a way to ensure that children and youth meet physical, cognitive, communicative and psychosocial development as outlined in their mandate. Staff provides education and information for parents on how to raise healthy, well behaved children without using violence. This education is provided through home visiting, community presentations, parenting groups and social marketing campaigns.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2005
Flu Clinic Update
Despite the rush for flu shots early in the season, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit reports that the 19,552 doses given out to date are approximately the same amount given out by this time, last year.
"It's hard to tell if numbers are actually down or if people used alternate locations to get their vaccine," comments Darlene Binette, Manager of Infectious Disease Programs at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "The flu vaccine is provided at doctors' offices, at pharmacies and at workplaces as well, and it will take much longer to get a tally of all the vaccine administered in the district."
Influenza activity across the nation remains low. Although it is possible that advertising campaigns with flu prevention messages may have had a positive effect on stopping the spread of the virus, the approaching holiday season is usually when flu activity escalates.
"We'd like to think that people are using the education to stay healthy," says Binette. "But it is still too early in the season to proclaim any victory. Holiday gatherings where people are in close contact with each other are often when the virus is spread from person to person. That's usually when the reports of flu activity start coming into the Health Unit."
Two more community Flu clinics will be held on Wednesday, December 14 and 21 at Evangel Church on Balmoral St. The vaccine takes two weeks to become effective.
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