Frequently Asked Questions

Owner/operators must ensure that all infractions are fixed as soon as possible. A follow-up inspection will take place within 24-72 hours if any critical infractions are noted. Non-critical infractions may not be addressed until a later inspection.

Public Health Inspectors are Provincial Offences Officers. They can issue Orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 7. They can issue a ticket or a summons to court when infractions are observed. An owner/operator may be fined up to $5,000 and a corporation up to $25,000 if found guilty.

If infractions are not corrected by the required time, legal action may occur to obtain compliance.

Repeat infractions noted during follow-up inspections or during any future inspections, may lead to legal action. An establishment may be charged despite having a green (PASS) sign.

Legal action may also occur for infractions under the DineSafe - Durham Disclosure By-law and the Know Before You Go - Durham Disclosure By-law.

Pending charges and convictions will be posted on the disclosure website linked to the establishment under the Legal Action heading.

You can:

1. Ask the establishment to review their most recent inspection report
2. View inspection results online at www.durham.ca
3. Call the Durham Region Health Connection Line 1-800-841-2729

Both online inspection results and inspection reports include infractions observed at the time of inspection. For further information, the most recent inspection report can be viewed at the establishment. You can also call the Durham Health Connection Line for more details.

Inspection results are posted online after the completion of the inspection. Circumstances or technical difficulties may arise and delay the posting of the inspection results.

Inspection results are posted online for 2 years from the date of inspection. When an establishment closes, their inspection results are removed. When there is a new owner of an establishment, only the recent inspection results associated with the new owner are posted online.

DineSafe Durham is Durham Region's Food Safety Inspection Disclosure program which gives you quick and easy access to inspection results. Durham Food Safety Inspection Summary Signs posted on-site will reflect the most recent inspection.

DineSafe Durham will have several benefits for both the public and food establishments. The program will:

• help reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses
• help improve food safety standards and increase compliance with legislation
• make inspection results accessible to the public

Although food establishment inspections have been conducted for years, the Region of Durham Disclosure By-law took effect on March 2, 2009. The By-law requires food establishment operators to post the most recent DineSafe Durham inspection summary sign. The most recent inspection report has to be available for the Public Health Inspector and public to read. After each inspection, every food establishment receives one of three colored summary signs Green (PASS), Yellow (CONDITIONAL PASS), or Red (CLOSED).
The website component was launched in January 2011 where inspection reports can be viewed online at www.durham.ca. The website provides a summary of inspection results for all food establishments in the Region of Durham.

• The DineSafe Durham summary sign has to be posted and clearly seen by the public
• The sign cannot be changed or removed
• Upon request, the most recent inspection report must be available for review by members of the public or health inspectors

Green (PASS) sign:

• Mostly in compliance with the Ontario Food Premises Regulation
• Few critical infractions or some non-critical infractions can result in a green (PASS) sign
• Food handling practices do not represent an immediate risk to public health
• A follow-up inspection may occur if items need to be corrected. Sometimes minor issues may not be addressed until the next routine inspection

Yellow (CONDITIONAL PASS) sign:

• Significant non-compliance with the Ontario Food Premises Regulation
• The number and/or type of infractions could lead to food-borne illness
• Sometimes, significant non-critical infractions can result in a Yellow (CONDITIONAL PASS) sign being issued
• A follow-up inspection will happen within 24-72 hours (1-3 business days)

Red (CLOSED) sign:

• Food establishment poses a health hazard (i.e. major insect/rodent infestation, no hot/cold running water, sewage back-up, fire, flood, and/or power outage)
• Food establishment will close and not prepare, serve and/or sell food to the public
• The food establishment must earn a Green (PASS) to be re-opened

Inspection results and sign colours reflect what was observed during the inspection. Most critical infractions can be corrected right away. For example, contaminated food will be thrown out; food can be removed from broken cooler units, etc. A follow- up inspection will happen within 24-72 hours for outstanding items.

Yes, all food establishments are required to be inspected by the Health Department. This includes but it is not limited to:

• General food services (e.g. restaurants / bars, cafeterias, deli, butcher shops, grocery stores, banquet halls, catering kitchens)
• Institutional food services (e.g. hospitals, school cafeterias, nursing homes, licensed childcare centres, boarding houses with 10 or more residents)
• Mobile food services (e.g. hot dog carts, catering vehicles, french fry trucks)

All inspected food establishments are required to post a summary. Most community special events (e.g. farmers markets, fairs, etc.) are exempt from the DineSafe Durham disclosure program and do not post summary signs.

The number of inspections is based on a risk rating that takes into account:

• the type and volume of food served
• the type of population served (e.g. general public, elderly or very young)
• the number of food preparation steps (e.g. cooking, cooling, hot holding, etc.)
• their history of food-borne illness and/or compliance with the Ontario Food Premises Regulation

Compliance inspections are never scheduled. Places that are inspected 3 times per year can expect a visit roughly every 4 months. At any time, a visit may occur as the result of a complaint, suspect food-borne illness or recall. Also, inspectors may visit prior to approving Municipal and/or Liquor Licensing requests. Follow-up inspections are often scheduled for outstanding items. The inspector would attend around that date to verify that the items have been fixed.

Owner/operators need to ensure their establishments meet the standards of the Ontario Food Premises Regulation.

During inspections, Public Health Inspectors check that food establishments meet the standards of the Ontario Food Premises Regulation.
Some key items are:

• food temperature control; during storage, cooking, holding, and service
• food is protected from cross-contamination and adulteration
• food handlers practice good food handling and personal hygiene, surfaces and equipment are clean and in good repair
• a pest control program is in place

Know Before You Go - Durham is Durham Region’s Personal Service Settings inspection disclosure program that gives the public quick and easy access to health inspection results.

Know Before You Go - Durham will have several benefits for both the public and personal service setting facilities. The program will:

• help reduce the risk of transmission of blood borne and other types of infections
• help improve infection control standards and increase compliance with the Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Personal Services Settings
• make inspection results accessible to the public and assist the public in making informed decisions about where to get a personal service
• increase the transparency of public health services

Yes, any establishment or person offering personal services (including home-based and mobile facilities) are required to be inspected and post signs that reflect their most recent inspection or re-inspection results. These include but are not limited to:

• hairdressing and barbering
• manicures and pedicures
• tattooing and micropigmentation
• body piercing and ear lobe piercing
• massage and tanning
• electrolysis and laser hair removal
• various aesthetic services

Green sign (PASS) - Significant compliance. There are no or only a few non-critical infractions observed which are unlikely to result in the spread of infection.

Yellow sign (CONDITIONALPASS) - Significant non-compliance. The number and/or the type of infractions observed have the potential for the spread of infection.

Red sign (CLOSED) - An immediate health hazard exists, and is a condition that is likely to lead to the spread of infection or other adverse health effects if the condition is not corrected immediately.

All establishments are routinely inspected at least once per year. If the Health Department receives any complaints about the establishment or if re-inspections are needed, then additional inspections may occur. As well, if an establishment is under an Order of a Public Health Inspector (PHI) compliance checks may occur in addition to routine inspections.

Owner/operators need to ensure their establishments meet the standards of the Ontario Personal Service Settings Regulation.

During personal service setting inspections, Public Health Inspectors ensure that all facilities are meeting minimum requirements set out in the Ontario Personal Service Settings Regulation.
Some key requirements include:

• instruments/equipment are of durable construction, in good repair and stored in a sanitary manner
• all instruments/equipment are discarded (if single use) or cleaned and disinfected/sterilized (if re-usable) after each use
• appropriate disinfectants for the instrument/equipment are used according to manufacturer’s instructions
• work area is maintained in a sanitary manner
• proper hand hygiene being performed prior to, and during, service delivery
• conditions are maintained free from health hazard

After an inspection, the Public Health Inspector will input the infractions into an electronic database and complete a Personal Services Settings Inspection Report. Each infraction or requirement is assigned a value (weight), based on the risk to cause infection. The overall score determines the colour of the Personal Services Settings Inspection Summary sign (i.e. green, yellow or red) that must be posted.

It is the owner/operator’s responsibility to keep a copy of the most current Personal Services Settings Inspection Report for the public to review upon request.

The Personal Services Settings Inspection Summary sign (i.e. green, yellow or red) must be posted in a conspicuous location, at or near, the main public entrance of the premises. The sign must remain posted until the next inspection or re-inspection has been conducted, at which time the PHI will issue a new sign for posting.

Starting April 1, 2019 the Durham Region Health Department will no longer routinely inspect tanning salons and tanning services (e.g. services offered in a personal service setting, gym, etc.) The health department will however, respond to complaints from the public related to infection control and sanitation. We will also respond to complaints related to proper signage, selling, advertising and marketing to adolescents, and provision of protective eyewear to make sure the requirements of the Tanning Beds Protocol and Skin Cancer Prevention Act from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are in compliance. All validated complaints will be disclosed online for two years.

As of January 1, 2019, all pool, spa and splashpad owner/operators must post a Durham Notice of Inspection sign as per the Durham Region by-law 45-2018.

The Check & GO! - Durham Notice of Inspection sign must be posted in a conspicuous location at or near the main public entrance(s) of the premises and be clearly visible to members of the public. Signage must be posted at all times.

All public pools, spas and splashpads are routinely inspected in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s (MOHLTC) Recreational Water Protocol, 2018. If the Health Department receives complaints about a facility or if re-inspections are needed, additional inspections may occur. As well, if an establishment is under an Order of a Public Health Inspector, compliance checks may occur in addition to routine inspections. Ontario’s Recreational Water Protocol, MOHLTC and Public Pools Regulation, sets out the minimum standards that all pools, spas and splashpads must meet. Public Health Inspectors inspect the physical environment, equipment, water chemistry and safety provisions of all public pools and spas.

Public Health Inspectors ensure that all pools, spas and splashpads are meeting minimum requirements set out in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Recreational Water Protocol, 2018 and the Public Pools Regulation 565 made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Some key requirements include:

• Water Quality
• Daily Records
• Maintenance and General sanitation
• Safety Equipment
• Supervision (e.g. lifeguards)
• Notices and Markings

Yes, complaint-based inspections and investigations will be disclosed online.

As of January 1, 2019, all public Small Drinking Water System owner/operators must post a Check & GO! – Durham Notice of Inspection sign as per the Durham Region by-law 45-2018.

The Check & GO! - Durham Notice of Inspection sign must be posted in a conspicuous location at or near the main entrance(s) of the premises and be clearly visible to member of the public. Signage must be posted at all times.

Small Drinking Water Systems (SDWS) are routinely inspected in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Monitoring Protocol, 2018. As required by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), all SDWS’s shall be risk assessed and categorized as low, moderate or high depending on risk factors identified during an initial assessment. SDWS that have a moderate or low risk categorization are inspected every 4 years while those with a high risk categorization are inspected every 2 years. Follow-up inspections of SDWS are based upon the initial risk categorization. If the Health Department receives complaints about a facility or if re-inspections are needed, additional inspections may occur. As well, if an establishment is under an Order of a Public Health Inspector, compliance checks may occur in addition to routine inspections..

Public Health Inspectors ensure that all Small Drinking Water Systems are meeting minimum requirements set out in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Monitoring Protocol, 2018 and the Small Drinking Water Systems Regulation 319 made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Some key requirements include:

• Microbiological Sampling and Testing
• Treatment
• Operational Checks
• Records

The Durham Region Health Department shall publicly disclose a summary report of each routine and complaint-based inspection and drinking water advisories for all SDWS beginning January 1, 2019.

All recreational camps are routinely inspected at least once per year. If the Health Department receives any complaints about the camp or if re-inspections are needed, then additional inspections may occur. As well, if a recreational camp is under an Order of a Public Health Inspector (PHI) compliance checks may occur in addition to routine inspections.

During inspections, PHIs ensure that the facility is meeting the minimum requirements set out in ONTARIO REGULATION 503/17 RECREATIONAL CAMPS. Some key requirements include:

• Camp safety plans
• Management of communicable diseases
• Camp staff training
• Potable water supply
• Sanitary maintenance of kitchen/sleeping areas
• Waterfront area safety
• Proper waste disposal

Yes, any facility operating as a Recreational Camp is required to be inspected and post the Check & Go! Durham Notice of Inspection sign to advise the public where the most recent inspection or re-inspection results can be viewed.

The Durham Notice of Inspection sign must be posted in a conspicuous location at or near the main entrance(s) of the premises and be clearly visible to member of the public. Signage must be posted at all times.

Yes, complaint-based inspections and investigations will be disclosed online.

The Durham Region Health Department will publicly disclose a summary report of each routine and complaint-based inspection beginning January 1, 2019.

Other Facilities (COVID-19) are facilities that are not routinely inspected by the Durham Region Health Department.

The Durham Region Health Department will publicly disclose a summary report of COVID-19 related inspections, validated complaint-based inspections and enforcement activity.

Public Health Inspectors and Provincial Offences Officers ensure the establishment adheres to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act and the Regulations that fall under this Act. The establishment is also required to adhere to any Section 22 Orders made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 7.

Some key items are:

• Physical Distancing
• Mask Use
• Cleaning & Disinfecting
• Screening

The owner/operator is required to ensure their establishment adheres to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act and the Regulations that fall under this act. They are also required to adhere to any Section 22 Orders made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 7.