Grey Bruce Public Health received an update about the organizations Safe Food and Water programs.
Public Health Manager Andrew Barton says that both programs play an important role in keeping people in Grey Bruce safe from food- and waterborne illnesses.
“Public Health helps to reduce and prevent infectious diseases caused by the consumption of contaminated food and water and reduces the burden of injuries caused by physical, chemical, and electrical hazards.”
The Safe Water program focuses on preventing and reducing waterborne illness and reducing recreational water injuries through inspections and assessments.
The Food Safety program is designed to focus on food safety inspections and complaint response to prevent the incidence of food-borne illness.
Health Canada estimates that over 4 million Canadians get food poisoning every year. While some do acquire the illness at home, regulated food premises must operate as safely as possible. Last year, Grey Bruce was home to almost 1500 year-round restaurants and food premises, and 292 seasonal establishments.
In 2024, Grey Bruce Public Health conducted nearly 1900 food safety inspections, including responding to 98 complaints. “We responded to 84 adverse water quality incidents, and that is both the systems that we regulate, as well as the Ministry of Environment regulation systems.”
Barton says that the organization continues to work to ensure that everyone has access to safe food and water.
“Safe food and water supplies are essential to our well-being, and ongoing efforts to ensure that food and water is of a high quality. Both programs support the health of residents and visitors, and we continue to strive to reduce the burden of disease and injury.”
