Nova Scotia Wins Award for Food Safety

Nova Scotia has won a national award for outstanding achievement in public health and food safety.

The food safety staff of the Department of Agriculture and Marketing was presented the Year 2000 Alexander Officer Award by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors on April 12 in Vancouver.

The institute presents the award annually to an organization or health agency for outstanding and meritorious achievements in the area of public health.

"The health of Nova Scotians is a top priority of this government," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Marketing. "A safe food supply is key to the public's general well being and good health."

"This award recognizes the excellent public health and food safety system we have here and the dedication and professionalism of our food safety staff," he said. "I want to commend and congratulate them on receiving this prestigious award. Well done!"

The department's Food Safety Section is comprised of food safety specialists who are certified public health inspectors, food inspection technicians, dairy inspectors and administrative support personnel. The staff inspects restaurants, grocery stores, meat plants, dairy processing facilities, and is responsible for investigating food borne illnesses. In addition to inspection duties, the staff also provides food handler training services to the food industry.

The institute cited a number of accomplishments and achievements designed to protect public health that lead to selecting Nova Scotia for the award, including:

• developing a comprehensive food handlers certification program that educates food service workers on the specific knowledge and skills they need to work safely. Over 3,900 food service workers completed the program in 1999.

• developing a safe food handling program that educates volunteers providing food service in the community, church and not-for-profit groups on proper food handling skills. The program was delivered to over 2,600 volunteers in 1999.

• developing food safety fact sheets for the media throughout Nova Scotia to increase consumer awareness.

• classifying food safety specialists within the department, who are certified public health inspectors, as professional staff.