Search
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…
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,…
The effects of pesticides (including herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) on human health are complex and not completely understood. However, there are clear links between pesticide use and illness. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to provide recommendations and information about…
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…
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…
West Nile Virus is transmitted, or spread, to humans through a bite from an infected mosquito.
TBDHU has been monitoring the local mosquito population for many years to identify any risk. This is done by trapping mosquitos and testing them. To date, West Nile Virus is not endemic in our area and…
Bed bugs are insects with oval-shaped bodies and no wings. Unlike most public health pests, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread disease. However, they are certainly a pest - feeding on blood, causing itchy bites and generally irritating their human hosts and they can cause other…
Rodents and insects can be a big problem for both homeowners and business owners. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit provides information about prevention and control, and public health inspectors inspect businesses in the District – particularly restaurants and food vendors – for signs of pests…
Beach Notifications
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit will notify the public of any issues concerning beaches tested by the Health Unit.
Beach advisories will be issued in beaches outside of Thunder Bay (with the exception of private beaches and provincial parks) when recreational water…
Our lakes are great places to relax, cool down, and have some family time during the summer. But bacterial infections such as E. coli can put a damper on the fun. Our role is to monitor public beaches within the city and district (with the exception of beaches within provincial parks) and alert…
Ticks are Present in Thunder Bay and District
The percentage of blacklegged ticks In the City of Thunder Bay area infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of lyme Disease) is greater than 40% as of 2023.
The City of Thunder Bay and immediately surrounding area are…
Food safety is extremely important to ensure that the food we eat is safe and free from germs that cause foodborne illness. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to maintain food safety in our communities by:
Inspecting preparation areas and procedures for food served to the public…