Download the Updated DineWise Operator Education Package (PDF):
Background
Public health inspectors from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) visit food premises to make sure food premises operators are meeting the minimum requirements under Ontario law; Ontario Regulation 493: Food Premises. These visits are called compliance inspections and they are done to protect the health of the public.
The results of these inspections have always been available to the public through a Freedom of Information request. To improve access to this information, the TBDHU launched a public disclosure system in 2017 called DineWise. All City of Thunder Bay eating establishments and refreshment vehicles were required to post the results of inspections in the form of a food safety grade.
With the success of DineWise and new requirements under Ontario Regulation 493, the TBDHU is updating the DineWise program and expanding it to the entire area served by the TBDHU. This includes all communities in the rural communities surrounding Thunder Bay as well as the communities in the District of Thunder Bay. These signs will begin to appear in these communities throughout 2019.
The purpose of the DineWise food safety grade is to inform the public of the condition of the food premises at the time of the last inspection. For the customer, DineWise provides point-of-sale information they can use to make decisions about where they want to eat.
What the Public Will See
Following a compliance inspection, the inspector will post one of the following signs. The sign posted will reflect the grade the premises received, based on the results of the most recent inspection.
What Operators Will Receive
All food premises operators in Thunder Bay will receive a copy of the operator education package in 2019. Download the DineWise Operator Education Package (PDF).
For More Information
To learn more about the signs, please contact the Health Unit and ask to speak with an inspector (807) 625-5900 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630.