Search
This website contains reports on premises where an infection prevention and control lapse was identified through the assessment of a complaint or referral, or through communicable disease surveillance. It does not include reports of premises that were investigated following a complaint or referral…
The TBDHU is following a revised province-wide risk assessment for food premises called the Operational Approaches for Food Safety Guideline, 2019.
This guideline is expected to make better use of the time spent inspecting food premises.
Food premises include places…
Robyn Land & Melissa Syrja, Public Health Inspectors
A streamlined Outbreak Response Protocol has improved the efficiency of public health’s response to confirmed or suspected food and waterborne illness outbreaks.
Micro-organisms such as Norovirus or E. coli bacteria can get into…
The objective of the inspection program is to extend the mandate of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit into the unorganized territory of the Thunder Bay District. This is done through the enforcement of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, including food safety, safe drinking water,…
Smoking + Radon = Dangerous combination
Statistically, 1 in 20 people who have a high concentration of radon gas in their homes will develop lung cancer. However, if you smoke on top of this, your chances of developing lung cancer are 1 in 3. Don’t let the two leading causes of lung cancer stand…
Like public beaches, pools and other artificial recreational waters are great places to have fun and cool off in the summer. However, they can also be a breeding ground for recreational waterborne illnesses (RWIs), including a wide variety of infections such as gastrointestinal, skin, ear,…
Child care facilities (daycares) licensed under the Child Care and Early Years Act are required to meet and maintain specific provincial standards to protect the health, safety and well-being of the children. Licenses must be renewed at least every year.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is…
Download the BodyWise Operator Education Package (PDF):
Background
Public health inspectors from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit visit personal service settings to make sure operators are meeting the minimum requirements under Ontario law; Ontario Regulation 136/18: Personal…
Is Your Organization Interested in Serving Wild Game to the Public?
TBDHU has recently revamped its process for approving applications to serve wild game to the public.
You can apply to serve wild game on a one-time basis such as a fundraising event, or if you are a non-profit, you can apply to…
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is responsible for community health protection – the “environmental health” of the district – as outlined by Ontario’s Health Promotion and Protection Act. As part of that responsibility, the TBDHU conducts inspections to prevent the spread of disease.…
Section 32 of Ontario Regulation 493 requires that every food premises operator must ensure that at all times during operation there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premises who has completed provincially-approved food handler training. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU…
What is Food Poisoning?
Foodborne illness, commonly known as food poisoning, happens when people eat food containing harmful germs or organisms including bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. Many foods naturally contain small amounts of these germs, but our bodies can usually handle them without…
If you are planning to sell or give away food to the public, learn how to put food safety first! Download a copy of TBDHU’s Special Event Guidelines – Operating Guidelines for Event Organizers and Food Vendors (PDF)
All persons and/or organizations planning to hold an event where food will be…
Providing food to the public carries an immense responsibility. Proper food handling steps must be followed to reduce the risk of foodborne illness (food poisoning) whether you are a national food producer/manufacturer, a restaurant owner, or operating a home-based business. The role of the Thunder…
Mould in the corner of a room.
Mould is a health hazard. It is a type of fungus – or more accurately, a group of different kinds of fungi – that can grow in damp areas in public places and in your home. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to:
Inspect public areas as necessary and…